Tougher Irish laws on hate crime come into force

Tougher legislation on hate crime in Ireland has come into effect.

The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 will increase prison sentences for certain crimes motivated by hatred.

It comes as Garda statistics indicate a rise in the number of hate crimes.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the new legislation sends a “clear message” to those behind hate attacks.

“We are determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and we are determined to protect vulnerable communities,” she said.

“This legislation sends a clear message to those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic that they will be prosecuted for hate crime.

“Up to now, Ireland has been one of the few remaining EU countries not to have specific hate crime offences set out in law. This is despite An Garda Siochana recording certain crimes as hate crimes, and despite the fact that recorded hate crimes increased by 7.5% in 2023 and by 29% a year earlier.

“This legislation meets a clear gap in our laws and is widely supported by the public. I’m delighted to sign the order to commence it in full.”

This legislation is designed to protect people targeted because of certain identity characteristics namely – race; colour; nationality; religion; national or ethnic origin; descent; disability; gender; sex characteristics and sexual orientation.

It creates new, aggravated forms of certain existing offences such as hate crimes where they are aggravated by hatred of one or more of these protected characteristics.

Incitement to hatred and hate speech are criminalised separately under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 which remains in force.