Ireland

Ireland regularly submits hate crime data to ODIHR. Ireland's annual hate crime statistics can be accessed here.

The Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021 of the National Police Force addresses the police response to hate crime. The Strategy's implementation is monitored by the National Diversity Forum, established in 2020 and comprising civil society and community groups. The police works closely with civil society to address hate crimes targeting Roma and Travellers, migrants and LGBTI persons, as well as in relation to hate crime training and hate crime investigations.

In July 2021, the Garda launched an online hate crime reporting system. In February 2020, Ireland co-organized with ODIHR and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights a workshop on understanding and improving hate crime recording and data collection. Based on ODIHR's Information Against Hate Crimes Toolkit (INFAHCT) programme, the workshop resulted in a number of recommendations for relevant state authorities.

In April 2022, the Garda took part in ODIHR's Online Training on Sensitive and Respectful Treatment of Hate Crime Victims. Also in 2022, a comprehensive and mandatory Online Hate Crime Training Programme for Garda officers was launched.
    
In 2023, the Garda formalized the reporting process between civil society and the Garda National Diversity Unit to facilitate reporting and reduce under-reporting of hate crimes.

Hate crime data collection in Ireland
Support for hate crime victims in Ireland
Hate crime capacity building in Ireland
Ireland's hate crime legislation
 
Download the 2014 hate crime report for Ireland

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2023 651 Not available Not available
2022 628 Not available Not available
2021 448 Not available Not available
2020 Not available Not available Not available
2019 251 Not available Not available
2018 368 Not available Not available
2017 Not available Not available Not available
2016 Not available Not available Not available
2015 Not available Not available Not available
2014 53 Not available Not available
2013 109 Not available 12
2012 119 Not available Not available
2011 162 Not available Not available
2010 142 Not available Not available
2009 164 Not available Not available

Hate crime recorded by police

National developments

At the request of the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture and Equality, the Hate and Hostility Research Group (HHRG) at the University of Limerick began research on hate crime in Ireland, aimed at developing the legislative bill heads for a potential hate crime law.

The Garda developed a number of training courses addressing diversity, discrimination and hate crimes, and participated in other events organized in co-operation with representatives of victim communities, including the Roma, Muslim and LGBT communities, as well as civil society groups providing assistance to refugees.

The Minister of State for New Communities, Culture and Equality launched a new website, developed by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) civil society group. The website, stophatecrime.ie, supported by the Garda, provides for the third party reporting of hate crime motivated by homophobic and transphobic bias. In co-operation with the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), the Garda developed for its officers a set of guidelines on conducting investigations and engaging correctly with transgender people.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Ireland has not reported on the numbers of prosecuted cases to ODIHR.

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the Minister of State for Equality, New Communities and Culture chaired a roundtable event hosted by the University of Limerick and involving NGOs, to discuss new approaches to addressing hate crime in Ireland, including the need for legislation to address hate crime through criminal law. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also reported the publication of "’A Life Free From Fear’ Legislating for Hate Crime in Ireland: An NGO Perspective," which highlights the absence of hate crime legislation in Ireland.