Rampaging bikers rip up flower beds in Carlow town
The tracks created by wheelies, performed by the gang on scrambler motorcycles on a green area outside Carlow Garda Station
A GANG of bikers on scrambler motorcycles went on a rampage through Carlow town last week, deliberately tearing up flower beds before heading towards the courthouse and the garda station, where they appeared to taunt the gardaí into chasing them.
Shocking footage of the incident was circulated online, where it showed five bikers riding through Carlow town centre on Tuesday night, damaging flower beds on the roundabout at Kennedy Avenue and at the courthouse before heading for the garda station. There, one of them performed a doughnut on his bike, ripping up the grass there, while others drove towards the garda station honking their horns.
In the video, taken by someone following the bikers in a car, a man has a running commentary on the bikers’ antics, at one point saying: “They’re looking for a chase alright. Game on!” On Friday morning, Carlow gardaí searched two houses in the town and seized some property while also arresting two men in their early 20s. They were later released without charge and investigations are ongoing.
This is the first reported incident in Carlow town of bikers driving unregistered scramblers or off-road bikes in an intimidating fashion, which is more common in larger urban centres such as Dublin.
“This is the first report of unregistered scramblers being ridden on public streets in Carlow town and it will not be tolerated. It’s not acceptable by any standard,” said Superintendent Anthony Farrell.
“We are making an appeal to anyone who has information about this incident of reckless driving through Carlow town. The incident took place between the Liberty Tree at Potato Market, up Tullow Street, onto Dublin Street and down towards the courthouse before making their getaway out the Old Dublin Road. Our focus is that there was a significant amount of planting and bedding destroyed when the motorbikes were driven through them,” continued Superintendent Farrell.
Coilín O’Reilly, chief executive of Carlow County Council, told that it was “disappointing” that it happened and that the council was reluctant to make further comment while the incident is being investigated.
“As a local authority, we have to be resilient and be ready when things like this happen,” said Mr O’Reilly. “We’ll rectify any damage done and I can make no further comment because of the garda inquiries.”
If you have any information about the incident, which occurred at 10pm on Tuesday 25 March, please contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 9136620.
