Operation Meacán Tackles Unlawful Scrambler and E-Bike Use

In September, An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barry Saul, Chief Executive Frank Curran, Chair of the DLR Local Community Safety Partnership (DLR LCSP), Cllr JP Durkan, and members of the Partnership met with Chief Superintendent David Kennedy to hear about the work being carried out under Operation Meacán, including the seizure of a number of scramblers. Operation Meacán is an ongoing high-intensity policing initiative by An Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) that targets the illegal use of electric motorbikes, e-scooters, and e-bikes in criminal activities. 

A number of scramblers were confiscated and seized recently as part of Operation Meacán, in the DMR Eastern Region as well as almost €140,000 worth of drugs and over €10,000 in cash along with a total of 36 vehicles. An Garda Síochána also arrested 20 young people, aged between 16 and 19, in a major swoop on the unlawful use of scramblers, e-scooters and e-bikes. The 20 individuals were arrested for a wide range of criminality associated with scramblers and e-bikes, including robbery, criminal damage, dangerous driving, possession of articles intended to be used in burglaries and the sale and supply of drugs. The operation targeted a main group involved in unlawful activity, along with a number of other individuals operating across the Dublin Eastern Region.

Separately, more than 40 people appeared before the District Court under Operation Táirge, which targets gangs involved in organised retail theft and associated crimes. A total of 142 people have been arrested to date under Operation Táirge in the Dublin Eastern Region alone since the national initiative started in December 2023.

The dlr Local Community Safety Partnership aims to prioritise the voice of local people in identifying and addressing community safety issues in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders. The purpose of the dlr LCSP is to bring the relevant bodies together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the safety concerns identified and prioritised by local people.

Find out more about the DLR Local Community Safety Partnership at Local Community Safety Partnership (dlr LCSP) | Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council or contact them directly at communitysafety@dlrcoco.ie