Case involving Garda Sean Shields raises concerns about policing powers and risks
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has called for legislative change after a garda was convicted of dangerous driving following a scrambler pursuit, according to TheJournal.ie.
Garda Sean Shields was found guilty over an incident in May 2024 in which he pursued two masked men on scrambler bikes.
He was fined €500 and banned from driving for two years by Dublin District Court.
The case followed a complaint to the Garda Ombudsman, Fiosrú, and is expected to be appealed.
Garda Commissioner Kelly said the law should better reflect the circumstances faced by Gardaí responding to serious incidents, arguing it is “not right” they are treated the same as civilians in dangerous driving cases.
Fianna Fáil TD Tom Brabazon also called for legal protections for Gardaí pursuing scramblers, citing ongoing safety concerns following the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch earlier this year.
New legislation, known as Grace’s Law, will come into effect this week, introducing a ban on scrambler use in public places and giving Gardaí stronger seizure powers.
It means Gardaí will no longer have to look for a belief of dangerous use before seizing a scrambler.
Commissioner Kelly says he needs Gardaí to feel supported:
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