Community 'deeply shocked and devastated' as teen girl (16) killed in scrambler crash named

A teenage Irish girl who died after being struck by a scrambler bike in Dublin on Sunday has been named as 16-year-old Grace Lynch.

The fatal incident occurred at approximately 2.20pm on the Ratoath Road in Finglas on Sunday afternoon. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene following a collision involving a scrambler motorcycle and a pedestrian.

Grace, described by local representatives as a "young girl with her whole life ahead of her", was brought to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown for treatment but sadly passed away later that evening.

An adult male in his late teens has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin region.

Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have carried out an examination of the scene and the road has since reopened.

As news of Grace's death spread, tributes poured in from across the community with politicians describing a community left heartbroken and shaken.

READ MORE | Gardaí deport 33 convicted criminals from Ireland on charter flight to Poland and Lithuania

Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe said Finglas was "devastated" by the loss.

"This morning our community is devastated by the news that a daughter, a sister, a young girl with her whole life ahead of her, died yesterday in a tragic incident on Ratoath Road," he said.

"I know many of us who are parents can't even imagine how her family feel. I've no doubt our whole community will support them and Grace's friends over the coming days. That's what we do in Finglas."

McAuliffe also said concerns about scrambler bikes had been raised for years, adding: "While our community is saddened, unfortunately we are not surprised that an incident like this could happen. We have been warning those who recklessly and dangerously drive on scramblers for many years that their actions endangers lives."

"Today we remember Grace and her family. We remember her young friends, her teachers, her neighbours. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Keith Connolly said the news was "heartbreaking" for the area.

"Heartbreaking news for the Finglas community following the tragic death of a teenage girl after a scrambler bike collision," he said.

"My sincere condolences to the young girl's family and friends."

Connolly added that while legislative changes had been introduced in recent years, "it is clear that more needs to be done to tackle the illegal use of these vehicles in our community".

READ MORE | Gardaí 'concerned for well-being' of girl missing since Saturday as urgent appeal launched

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis said the entire area was "deeply shocked and devastated" by Grace's death.

"The whole community is deeply shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of Grace Lynch, a young girl who was killed by a scrambler yesterday on Ratoath Road, Finglas," he said.

"I cannot imagine the pain that they are going through now, with the loss of such a lovely young girl, who had her whole life ahead of her."

Ellis said the issue of scramblers had been raised repeatedly in the Dáil over many years.

"This latest tragic incident shows that the existing legislation is not sufficient," he said, adding that he and his party would continue to push for stronger laws and enforcement.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have camera or dash-cam footage from the area between 2.10pm and 2.40pm, to come forward.