Concern expressed over lack of regulations for e-scooters
Members of Mayo County Council's Roads Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) have expressed grave concerns at the failure to impose regulations for e-scooters. Their comments came just days before a man was killed in an e-scooter accident in Co Waterford.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Damien Ryan said the committee needed to look at “what can be done to beef up legislation" to tackle the misuse of e-scooters in Mayo.
"It is important we hear from An Garda Síochána in regard to what powers may be needed and how we can assist them," the Ballinrobe-based councillor said.
Chairperson of the committee, Fianna Fáil Cllr Annie May Reape, described e-scooters as "the worst things to have been introduced".
"There is an over-16 age limit but [users] all seem to be under 16 and they could not care less. I saw a lady knocked down by one and when I said, look what you’ve done, all I got was the two fingers. I would abolish them altogether and agree with Cllr Damien Ryan we should bring a member of the gardaí into the next meeting to address this.”
SPC member and retired garda Christy Hyland predicted that there would be a lot more under-16s with new e-scooters after Christmas. However, he expressed optimism that Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan would "deal with e-scooters".
It was agreed to invite a garda representative to the next meeting of the SPC in the first quarter of 2026.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
