The Finglas community came together to pay tribute to 16-year-old Grace who was killed on Sunday
21:23, 26 Jan 2026Updated 21:25, 26 Jan 2026
Grace Lynch’s mother Siobhan Gifford Lynch leads a march during a vigil and walk in memory of the 16-year-old(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins)
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Finglas tonight to take the final walk that 16-year-old Grace Lynch never got to finish.
Grace was killed on Sunday after she was struck down on the Ratoath Road in a collision with a scrambler. She was rushed to Blanchardstown Hospital with catastrophic injuries but was later declared dead.
A vigil was held in her name tonight with hundreds of people turning out. A special performance of the ballad Grace, the song she was named after, was performed by Paddy Robinson from nearby Plunkett Avenue.
Debbie O’Brien, who helped to organise the vigil, said the tragedy has broken the hearts of the community. She told Dublin Live that scramblers are an ongoing issue in the area.
Grace Lynch’s mother Siobhan Gifford Lynch leads a march during a vigil and walk in memory of the 16-year-old(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
She said: “Grace was walking up to meet her boyfriend yesterday and we are going to do the final walk that she never got to do.
“Scramblers are an ongoing issue around the area. They’re all the way up and down the road, we’ve young kids, it could have been anybody’s child that it happened to and it puts everything into perspective. Something needs to be done about it, it’s too often.”
Grace’s mother Siobhan spoke to the crowd at the vigil and thanked them for supporting Grace and her family. With tears in her eyes, she vowed to fight to get scramblers off the streets.
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She said: “I just want to thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for turning out, for supporting my child. I will fight, and I will fight to get these scramblers, and scooters, and everything off these streets. My poor baby was mangled in that hospital, in that bed. And to watch her take that last breath, is the worst pain imaginable.
“It’s not something that any parent should have to deal with. And with everyone’s support, and we’ll get petitions signed, and we do the best – we will get this, in the name of Grace. Support her, please.”
Grace Lynch, 16, has died after being struck down by a scrambler while crossing the Ratoath Road in Finglas on Sunday afternoon(Image: )
A man was arrested by gardai in connection with the collision. Gardai are appealing to any witnesses to the fatal incident to come forward and help with the investigation.
In a statement last night, gardai said: “Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses following the serious road traffic collision that occurred on Ratoath Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, this afternoon, Sunday 25th January 2026. The collision involving a scrambler motorcycle and a pedestrian occurred at approximately 2.20pm.
“The pedestrian, a juvenile female in her teens, was brought to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for treatment of injuries and has since passed away. An adult male, aged in his late teens, has been arrested in relation to this incident and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin Region.
“Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area between 2.10pm and 2.40pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on (01) 6667500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
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