Teenage girl who died after being struck by scrambler bike in Dublin is named locally
Teen girl was walking on Ratoath Road in Finglas when the collision happened on Sunday afternoon Victim named locally as Grace Lynch (16), who was walking in the area on her way to meet friends
It is understood the young teenager was walking on the Ratoath Road in Finglas, Dublin 11, about 2.20pm on Sunday on her way to meet friends when she was hit by the bike. A green scrambler motorbike could be seen lying on the roadway and a helmet and a pair of trainers were lying nearby following the collision.The incident occurred near the junction with Tolka Valley Road.Gardaí arrested a man in his late teens and are now appealing for witnesses. A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses following the serious road traffic collision that occurred on Ratoath Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, this afternoon.“The collision involving a scrambler motorcycle and a pedestrian occurred at approximately 2.20pm.“The pedestrian, a juvenile female in her teens, was brought to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for treatment of injuries and has since passed away this evening.“An adult male, aged in his late teens, has been arrested in relation to this incident and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin region.“Garda forensic collision investigators have conducted an examination of the scene and the road has since reopened.“Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.“Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area between 2.10pm and 2.40pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.“Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on (01) 6667500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”Conor Reddy, a People Before Profit councillor for Ballymun–Finglas, said there had previously been accidents involving scrambler bikes in the area.He said Sunday’s crash was “tragic” and that the local community would be “traumatised” by the incident.Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, who represents the Dublin North-West constituency, said the entire community was in shock. “I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of the young girl who was tragically killed in Finglas yesterday. The entire community is in shock at this devastating news.“Dangerous use of scramblers and e-scooters has scourged communities such as Finglas for far too long and it is up to all of us, as local elected representatives, to continue pushing for greater and swifter action on this.”“There has long been a need for a greater presence of community gardaí in Finglas - the Dublin North division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region has 769 members of staff to cover a population area of approx 350,583, a ratio of 219 gardaí per 100,000 people. The national average is 276 per 100,000, or 26pc higher than in the Dublin North division.“We need a strong visible presence of community gardaí who can help prevent such terrible incidents.“My thoughts are with all of those in the community affected by this tragedy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”Fianna Fáil councillor Keith Connolly called for tighter policing of scrambler bikes being used dangerously. Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland on Monday morning, Keith Connolly described the "level of lawlessness" about the use of scrambler bikes as "deeply frustrating.""If I go out and drive a car without tax or insurance, or drive in a dangerous manner, they're pursed very quickly - this needs to happen for these bikes," Mr Connolly said.The councillor said that despite the change in legislation in 2023 that allowed the gardaí to seize the bikes, "unfortunately, this is not enough."In January of last year, former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced that gardaí could pursue people driving scramblers, scooters and electric bikes in a dangerous manner, which they had previously been forbidden to do.Mr Connolly said that he had "certainly seen no evidence of that, unfortunately."This story was amended at 10.30pm on January 25, 2026 to clarify that gardaí arrested an adult male in connection with the crash.
