Busy roads in Cork are still being used by "very dangerous" scrambler bikes because existing laws are “never enforced”, a local journalist has argued. 

Earlier this year, teenager Grace Lynch died in Dublin after she was hit by a scrambler bike. 

In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin promised that existing laws would be strengthened and their use would be completely banned on public roads. 

Under the Road Traffic and Roads Act, Gardaí already have the power to seize scramblers they believe are being used dangerously. 

However, on Lunchtime Live, journalist Joe O’Shea said Cork Beo has received footage of scrambler bikers driving the wrong way up the South Ring Road. 

 “There was a group of kids, teenagers, on what looked like e-scramblers, so these would be powerful electric scrambler bikes, which can do a fair old whack,” he explained. 

“They can go up to 70, 80 kilometres an hour; they were kind of speeding along on popping wheelies - sort of on the hard shoulder, but kind of veering out into the lanes as well.

“So, very, very dangerous behaviour.” 

Mr O’Shea added that electric-scramblers have become “very popular” in Cork but “really are a nuisance” to those who don’t use them. 

He continued that most parents seem to be “immune” to consequences if their children misbehave. 

“Under the Children's Act 2001, where parents can be fined for the behaviour of their kids, can be made to pay compensation, can be asked to do drug and alcohol courses, parenting courses,” he said. 

“The only thing is, that never happens. I've never heard of that happening.

“It's just one of those things in Ireland where the law is there - we just never use it, we never enforce it.

“We go on year after year with this really serious anti-social and very dangerous, as we saw, on the South Ring Road. It just goes on year after year.”

Main image: A scrambler bike. Picture by: Alamy.com.