Ireland Garda Sean Shields banned from driving for two years after chasing scrambler bikes in Dublin
Garda Sean Shields was convicted of dangerous driving and barred from driving for two years after chasing two masked men on scrambler bikes from Dublin's North inner city to Belvedere Avenue on 4 May 2024. A key witness against him, Kieran Davitt, 50, was revealed to have previously pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorbike.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted1 Apr
- Sentenced1 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatShields chased two masked men on scrambler bikes in an incident deemed to be dangerous driving. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKieran Davitt gave key evidence in court against Shields. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDavitt handed over the bike after gardaí looked over a wall and saw it in the back garden. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDavitt is 50 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCCTV footage of the incident was played in court. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatShields told the court the bikes came out of nowhere and one gave the middle finger before speeding off. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShields lodged notice to appeal the conviction. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatKelly made the remarks at the annual AGSI conference. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatScrambler bikes are set to be outlawed on Irish roads and in public places from Friday. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe Government confirmed in February it would ban the use of the bikes in public places. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe chased two masked men on scrambler bikes in an incident deemed to be dangerous driving. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatWitness Linda Carroll said the garda car came down the road really fast, hit a footpath, nearly clipped someone on an E-bike, and sped off. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereDavitt is of Belvedere Avenue, Dublin 1. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe chase went from Dublin's North inner city to a cul de sac in Belvedere Avenue. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 4 May 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeThe ban follows the tragic death of teenager Grace Lynch in Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the stolen bike at Davitt's home thanks to a tracking device. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDavitt pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property, namely a motorbike. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSean Shields was barred from driving for two years by a judge. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge left Davitt without a criminal record if he made a charity donation. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherWitness Kieran Davitt, 50, of Belvedere Avenue, Dublin 1, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorbike. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherDavitt recklessly purchased a motorbike on Facebook that later turned out to be stolen. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherGardaí found the stolen bike at Davitt's home via a tracking device. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherShields denied the charge of dangerous driving, saying he was tackling the scourge of scrambler bikes. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe prosecution followed a complaint made to the Garda Ombudsman, Fiosrú. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly called for legislative changes around thresholds for members involved in pursuits. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe ban follows the death of teenager Grace Lynch in Finglas. (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Apr2026Outrage as Garda banned over chase as witness previously caught with stolen bike
Reports the conviction and two-year driving ban, reveals the witness's prior guilty plea for a stolen bike, notes the Garda's immediate appeal, and the Commissioner's call for legislative reform on pursuit thresholds ahead of the scrambler bike ban.
convicted, Sean Shields, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Shields - 1 Apr2026Outrage as Garda banned over chase; witness had stolen bike past
Reports the conviction and two-year driving ban, the revelation that key witness Kieran Davitt had a prior conviction for possession of a stolen motorbike, Garda Commissioner Kelly's call for legislative changes on pursuit thresholds, and the upcoming ban on scrambler bikes following the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas.
convicted, Sean Shields, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Shieldsconvicted, Kieran Davitt, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Davitt