In a written parliamentary answer, the Minister for Justice, said that “‘bait bikes’ which have been obtained by the Gardaí were “subject of Police Property Applications made to the Courts as no owners could be identified.” In other words, the likes of stolen property which was recovered but the owner could not be found.
It was in reply to written parliamentary questions from Dublin TD Gary Gannon (Social Democrats) asked: “To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of high-end ‘bait bikes’ purchased for use by An Garda Síochána; the cost of each ‘bait bike’; and, of those ‘bait bikes’ purchased, the number currently in use.”
A similar question was asked by Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly (Social Democrats). He asked: “To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of high-end ‘bait bikes’ that An Garda Síochána purchased in 2024 and to date in 2025; the totality of expenditure on these items; and if they have any other operational use.”
Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan said: “Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.”
“I am informed by the Garda authorities that no bikes were purchased for use as ‘bait bikes’ in 2024 or in 2025 to date by An Garda Síochána,” he said.
Minister O’Callaghan said: “Bicycles that are utilised as ‘bait bikes’ in the possession of An Garda Síochána are subject of Police Property Applications made to the Courts as no owners could be identified.”
He added: “An Garda Síochána has a range of operational measures to combat bicycle theft and to target those who engage in it. An Garda Síochána provides crime prevention information and awareness raising to the general public and bicycle retailers in relation to bicycle theft.”