Sinn Féin Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has said that he is horrified and outraged at the recent incident in Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght involving an out of control scrambler bike and a young child, saying that it was a miracle that the child was not more seriously injured or killed.

Teachta Crowe said:

“Our parks and green spaces should be inclusive, safe spaces there for the enjoyment of adults and children of all ages. Unfortunately, this is not the case and incidents involving scrambler and quad bikes are being reported on a daily basis across the country.

“This latest incident happened in Tallaght, but it could have happened anywhere and highlights once again for the need for workable legislation that will remove these dangerous machines from our communities.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed has camera footage or any information on this attack to come forward to the local Garda investigating this potentially fatal incident. It was a miracle that the child was not more seriously injured or killed.

“My colleagues and I in Sinn Fein have been highlighting the danger of scramblers and quad bikes for years in in the Dáil with Ministers, at joint Policing Meetings, and directly with members of Garda authorities at local and national levels.

“Our attempts to bring in legislation to address this type of behaviour has been voted down and rejected by government parties and inexplicably the Garda Press Office said that no new legislation was needed.

“Our parks, green spaces and pitches are being destroyed, with many residents afraid to go into them for fear of being injured or worse. This wrong on so many levels and needs to addressed on an urgent basis.

“Children, parents, and adults should feel safe in our public spaces or walking through their neighbourhoods and that is not the case in many parts of my constituency. I am appealing to the Garda Authorities to do more to tackle these scrambler bikes following this incident and calling on the government to wake up and fast track legislation that will remove these bikes from local communities.”