The father of a nine-year-old boy who was hit by a scrambler bike has said people should report those using them in residential areas to the Gardaí.
Frankie Byrne was knocked down in his own front garden in Co Meath by a teenager riding a scrambler last month.
Frankie's father, Keith Byrne, told Newstalk Breakfast there had been a number of issues before.
"Our estate is like a new estate, so its teeming with children," he said.
"We had an issue in the days running up to this of guys [who] had gotten scramblers.
"There was a small gang of them that we sort if had issues with around the estate.
"We have fields surrounding our estate that they were using, but in a lot of cases it's notoriety: they want to be seen so [they are] riding the scrambler through the estate."
Keith and Frankie Byrne. Image: SuppliedMr Byrne said a neighbour of his had stepped outside to ask them to slow down.
"They sort of went to go around him, lost control of the bike [and went] straight into my front garden and hit my child," he said.
"He broke four bones in his foot, but at the time we didn't know.
"I had it on my Nest Doorbell camera so... just watching it back my legs just nearly went from under me.
"I was across the road and I didn't see it from that angle."
'New legislation coming in'
Mr Byrne said those riding these bikes should be reported to the Gardaí.
"They're uninsured, untaxed; there are youths [and] minors riding around in them often in cases.
"We actually attended the Joint Policing Committee meeting last night.
"Minister for Justice Helen McEntee was there and she addressed the issue, because I'd raised the question of scramblers.
"She actually addressed [the issue] saying there is new legislation coming in that will give the Gardaí more power about this.
"Ultimately if anybody has the same issue in their estate of youths riding around on scramblers, 999 is the best way - this is basically what we were told.
"If it is an issue and nobody's reporting it, then the Guards don't know about it," he added.
