Minister announces explicit ban on using scramblers with new regulations

By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced new regulations to implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place.

The new regulations come into effect on April 3rd, strengthening existing provisions and powers of enforcement by An Garda Síochána.

The Government said the Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026 provide legal clarity by consolidating the disparate existing provisions into a single legislative instrument in respect of scramblers.

They prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or quadbike, in any place other than on private land.

Using a scrambler in any public place will now explicitly be an offence, whether or not it is being driven dangerously.

Off-road motorcycles are now only legal for use on private land by the landowner themselves, or with their written consent.

It will allow for the continued appropriate off-road use of scramblers or quadbikes, for agricultural purposes and for controlled licensed sports events.

Speaking about the news, Minister O'Brien said: “These regulations complete the introduction of provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 to tackle the dangerous use of scramblers. The regulations will ensure that Gardaí have the full enforcement powers to remove the use of scramblers in public places and protect the safety of all road users.

“To honour the memory of Grace Lynch, and with the permission of her family, together these provisions applied to scramblers will be known as ‘Grace’s Law’. I hope that Grace’s name will be as a reminder to all of us that dangerous road use puts the lives of our friends, neighbours and families at risk.”

“I’m thinking in particular of Grace’s mam and dad and indeed, Grace and her and her family, I want to thank them sincerely for their engagement directly with me, for the dignified way in which they’ve been managing this awful, awful tragedy.

“I know nothing that we do is going to bring Grace back, but I hope that this is some small, small consolation, and that knowing that these additional changes that are on top of what was brought forward in 2023 are done in her name.”

There is already existing legislation banning the use of most scramblers in public places and the dangerous driving of the vehicles anywhere.

Our guards need to be able to carry out their duties without fear or favour. They're well-trained, they know how to pursue criminals, they need to be able to do that

He said the ban of scramblers on public roads and in parks is “very clear” and said the “grey area in that regard is gone”.

Asked about a garda who was given a road ban for dangerous driving while pursuing scrambler bikes, he said he was “taken aback” by the case.

He said he had met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in relation to the issue on Tuesday.

“This needs to be dealt with. I don’t want to reach into decisions of the judiciary, but I will say as a citizen, I was taken aback by that judgment,” he said.

“Our guards need to be able to carry out their duties without fear or favour. They’re well-trained, they know how to pursue criminals, and they need to be able to do that.

“Obviously, judges have discretion in relation to making their judgments, and that’s something that I respect, but we will deal with this.”