Call for faster Garda Pursuit Training rollout as scramblers 'scourge' Louth communities
Louth Sinn Féin TD, Deputy Joanna Byrne has expressed concern at the slow-paced roll out of pursuit training for Gardaí
Louth Sinn Féin TD, Deputy Joanna Byrne has expressed concern at the slow-paced roll out of pursuit training for Gardaí. Deputy Byrne raised the matter with the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at the Public Accounts Committee recently.
Speaking after the meeting Deputy Byrne said: “I am a member of both the public accounts committee and the media committee. We recently had social media companies before us at the media committee discussing the TikTok challenges which lead to youths driving the wrong way down motorways and, tragically, deaths and serious injuries. The social media companies have their part to play to ensure those videos don’t get shared.
“Equally the Gardaí must be properly trained and resourced to pursue those stolen cars. They must also be trained to tackle scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters that are being used by young criminals.”
“Commissioner Kelly confirmed to me that pursuit training is 'necessary' training.
“Despite this, the numbers receiving the training are low, and progress will be at a snail’s pace.
“Several thousand Garda drivers have CDP1 (basic) training only and do not feel resourced or indeed protected by the organisation , or the law , in pursuing illegal driving behaviour.
“When I pressed the Commissioner on the scope of the pursuit training being rolled out, the Commissioner did not know and could not provide the detail of the training or if it would extend beyond cars, and tackle scramblers, e-scooters, and e-bikes. I will be following up on this when the Dáil resumes after next week's recess.
“Scramblers are a scourge on our communities in many parts of Drogheda, and the Gardaí here locally need both the training to be able to pursue users who are breaking the law, and the protections for doing so.
“Grace's Law was introduced to ban their use in all public places and public roads, yet Gardaí have not had sufficient training for safe pursuits.
“If we are serious in eradicating this criminal behaviour which torments communities, and puts lives at risk, then everything must be done to make this legislation effective. That means Gardaí pursuit training needs to be expedited.”