Almost 40 E-Scooters and E-Bikes Seized by Gardaí in Dublin Operation

Dublin authorities have confiscated nearly 40 electric scooters and electric bikes as part of a significant enforcement action aimed at curbing their illegal use. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Meacán,' involved 63 searches across the Dublin region on Tuesday morning.

Beyond the e-scooters and e-bikes, officers also seized scramblers, quad bikes, a sawn-off shotgun with ammunition, €8,000 in cash, and over €80,000 worth of suspected drugs. A man in his 20s was arrested in connection with the seizures and is being held under the Offences Against the State Act.

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tackling e-scooter usage can be “challenging” but added there is an “organisational focus on ensuring that we do as much as we can with the legislation that we have”.

Detective Superintendent Inspector Jason Miley highlighted the challenges in regulating e-scooter usage but emphasized the Gardaí's commitment to maximizing efforts within existing legislation. He noted that retailers are increasingly removing e-scooters marketed towards children or those exceeding the 20 km/h speed limit.

New regulations implemented in August mandate hi-viz jackets and helmets for e-scooter users, extending the age ban to under-18s. Starting in September, all e-scooter users in the Republic of Ireland will require a license and registration. The operation also revealed intelligence linking e-scooter use to criminal activities such as drug distribution and money laundering.

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there was an opportunity for those who use e-scooters to “get themselves road-ready and road-legal”.