'Father Ted type stuff' - Garda e-scooter warning sparks online backlash from public

An e-scooter warning issued by An Garda Síochána has sparked backlash online from the public. 

A Garda spokesperson posted a photo of an e-scooter with a saddle on the official Garda Traffic X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday evening (July 18), prompting over 100 people to comment. 

The post reads, "Some might think that adding this little nifty seat to an e-scooter is innovative, but it's illegal. Gardaí in Santry have issued its rider with an on the spot fine. Since May there are new laws on the use of e-scooters so get up to speed." 

Irish X users published dozens of angry comments under the post, with many demanding to know why saddles are illegal to use, and others taking the opportunity to criticise Gardaí for their handling of the Coolock protests. 

A number of arrests have been made amid continuing protests in North Dublin, which have taken place in opposition to a government plan to house up to 500 International Protection Applicants (IPAs) at a site in the area. 

One X user commented, "The place is falling apart lads and this is your achievement for today." 

Another person wrote, "I support the regulation of e-scooters, but this is a rubbish catch. Having the seat harms nobody." 

Another commented, "I’m convinced this is a parody account. It can’t be real, can it?? The country is awash with violent criminals, and the official account of our national police force is posting about [sic] saddles. Father Ted type stuff." 

"Well done on enforcing this new absolute stupid law. While not enforcing other more important and serious offences. All that training was not wasted," another commented. 

Others pointed out the Garda car in the posted photo is illegally parked on a footpath. 

According to traffic regulations, no parking on a footpath (either partly or wholly) is permitted as it can impede disabled people and pedestrians who have to step onto the street to get past. 

One person commented, "Ahem, there are old laws on parking on footpaths so get up to speed yourselves." 

Another wrote, "Meanwhile you park the marked Garda vehicle partially on the footpath." 

Many commenters referenced the Coolock protests when commenting, with several X users calling Gardaí "traitors" and "embarrassing", while others used more colourful language. 

One person wrote, "I have nothing but disdain for An Garda Siochana now." 

However, not everyone was unhappy with the e-scooter rider being fined. 

Some X users called for more enforcement of the new laws, with one person commenting, "Enforce the law. Sick of this. I saw 50 of these this week, folks going super fast. Also from cars, illegal parking everywhere. No tax or insurance disks (expired). Mobile phone use. Stop being weak and pathetic. It’s not the law if it’s not enforced."