FORTY-FOUR SCRAMBLER bikes and off-road vehicles have been seized by gardaí in Limerick. 

The seizures were made during a planned operation by gardaí in Limerick city targetting dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour and other off-road vehicles on Tuesday and yesterday. 

During the course of the operation, a total of 21 searches were carried out at locations across Limerick city, resulting in the seizure of 44 scrambler bikes and off-road vehicles. 

Five individuals were arrested as part of ongoing investigations for suspected endangerment and dangerous driving and other related matters. 

The operation involved 30 gardaí, with additional support from the Armed Support Unit (ASU).

“Gardaí in Limerick welcome the new search and seizure powers under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, which have given us the capacity to carry out this targeted operation to confront a growing problem in the city,” Superintendent Andrew Lacey said.

“Through our various interactions in JPCs and local community meetings we received a clear message that this behaviour is causing fear, intimidation and distress across the city,” Superintendent Lacey said.

“We are acutely aware of the problem ourselves and can correlate the use of scramblers and e-scooters to criminal activities with a number of detections in the sale and supply of drugs in recent months,” he said. 

“With the new powers in place we plan to continue with these operations if those responsible continue to break the law, cause harm to communities or have a detrimental effect on business and traders in the city centre.”