Hate Crime Coalition calls on Government to be ready to implement Hate Crime Legislation

22 March 2023

New statistics show a 29% increase in Garda recorded hate crime and incidents

The Coalition Against Hate Crime has called on the Government to be ready to implement the Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences Bill and introduce complementary measures to tackle the root causes of hate, as new statistics show a 29% increase in An Garda Síochána figures of recorded hate crimes and hate-related (non-crime) incidents in 2022.   

The statistics confirm what members of the Coalition, a group of 23 civil society organisations, have seen and heard in our communities – that hate crime and extreme hate speech are on the rise in Ireland. The Coalition knows that the true number of hate crimes and hate-related incidents in Ireland is far higher as under-reporting is a significant issue.   

Speaking today, ICCL Policy Officer and Chair of the Coalition, Luna Lara Liboni, said:

“Hate crimes are message crimes; one act can make an entire community feel excluded and unsafe. These crimes don’t just affect individuals, they impact whole communities and weaken the fabric of society as a whole.  

“We know that these data represent an underestimation of the true scale of hate crime in Ireland, but they are an important first step to understanding the scale of hate crime in Ireland and they reinforce the importance of filling the current legislative gap through the Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences Bill, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.   

“The Coalition has been working to ensure the legislation is in line with human rights standards, reflects the experiences and needs of impacted communities, and provides clear definitions and thresholds. We hope the Government understands the urgency of this legislation and that the Bill will be prioritised”.   

Pádraig Rice, Policy and Research Manager, LGBT Ireland, said:   

“The figures released today should be a wake-up call for the Government and An Garda Síochána. We urgently need to see the introduction of robust hate crime legislation. Beyond the Bill, we must see enhanced training for Gardaí, improved reporting, better monitoring and data collection and new victim supports. Ultimately, we must see hate crimes prevented and reduced through better policing, education, and awareness raising. We are calling on the Government to respond to these figures with a holistic and effective response. 

“To help reduce the impact of hate crime, LGBTQI+ organisations from across the country are working with An Garda Síochána to enhance victim supports. Organisations are now able to report a crime on the victim’s behalf through a new third-party referral system. If someone decides not to report the crime, we are still here to help. LGBTI+ organisations can provide a range of supports to anyone who has been affected by a hate crime, and we encourage people to get in touch with us through the National LGBT Helpline on 1800 929 539 or by contacting their local LGBTI+ service.”  

Shane O’Curry, Director, Irish Network Against Racism, said:   

“The high number of racist incidents recorded by the Garda Síochána in 2022 confirms data from our iReport.ie system published today, and underlines again the fact that racism is a significant and deeply embedded problem in our institutions and in the structures of society.  

“We know that the vast majority of hate crimes and incidents are not reported or recorded and so for this reason an increase in recorded figures is to be cautiously welcomed as it may be indicative of people trusting the criminal justice system enough to report, and of Gardai removing barriers to report. In the long term what we need is for affected communities to feel more trust in the Garda Síochána. To secure this trust, Gardai must be able to demonstrate results to communities.  

“This data follows the publication yesterday of the new National Action Plan Against Racism. The Plan is a welcome development as it puts forward a framework for tackling racism at a systemic and institutional level in all walks of life. However, I would urge the Government to ensure the effective implementation of the Plan.”

Moninne Griffith, CEO, Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, said:  

"Belong To is deeply concerned, but sadly not surprised, at the 29% increase in hate crimes and hate-related incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána in Ireland. The figures show that targeting on the basis of sexual orientation was the second highest recorded form of hate crimes and hate-related incidents.

“Our recent research reveals that 87% of LGBTQ+ young people have seen or experienced anti-LGBTQ+ hate and harassment online. We have increasingly seen this pattern of online hate translate to real-world violence against Ireland's LGBTQ+ community. The young people we support through our youth groups and frontline service have told us that they are fearful of being visibly LGBTQ+, and have asked for self-defence workshops.

“To address this spike in violence, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill must be enacted as a matter of urgency, accompanied by comprehensive actions to tackle the root causes of hate."