Ireland

A new Bill on Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences was proposed following a review of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act (1989) and is currently before Dáil Eireann, the Seanad third stage, also known as the committee stage, following the Government's approval and publication in late 2022.

If enacted, the new legislation intends to criminalize any intentional or reckless communication or behaviour that is likely to incite violence or hatred against a person or persons because they are associated with a protected characteristic. The penalty for this offence will be up to five years' imprisonment.
The Bill will also create new, aggravated forms of certain existing criminal offences, where those offences are motivated by hatred of a protected characteristic. These will carry an enhanced penalty and the criminal record will clearly state that the offence was a hate crime.

As part of the Diversity and Integration Strategy, 2019-2021, a National Diversity Forum was formally established with representatives of communities and key stakeholders to monitor and review the strategy. The forum advised on hate crime and diversity communication both internally and externally.
A LGBQTI+ Youth Strategy was established together with LGBT representative groups. One of the Strategy's goals is to improve data collection on LGBTI+ Hate Crimes. Hate Crime Policy and Procedures guidelines were issued and supported changes to the Garda's PULSE system, including guidance and support on reporting, recording, investigating and prosecuting hate crime and non-crime hate incidents. The guidelines ensured that data is collected, recorded and communicated in an accurate, timely, complete and accountable manner. In collaboration with the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS), data provided will inform policing services and advise the public of trends and patterns in respect of hate crime and non-crime hate incidents. 
    
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy ensures that the needs of disabled people are central to the review of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 and the development of legislation on hate crime. The introduction of this new legislation was also included as a commitment in the Programme for Government. In the interim, disability is a protected characteristic for the purpose of An Garda Síochána's Hate Crime Definition, Policy Procedures and Training. The Garda PULSE system was updated to align the protected characteristics with Discriminatory Motives, allowing for accurate recording.

In 2023, as part of the Irish government's strategic commitment to facilitate 'Third-Party Referrals' on behalf of victims of crime, An Garda Síochána formalized the reporting process between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the Garda National Diversity Unit. This will facilitate reporting and reduce under-reporting of hate crime by putting in place a formal structure to permit third parties to initiate hate crime reports on behalf of victims.

During 2023, the Garda Traveller Advisory Group (GTAG) continued to meet to enhance engagement and build trust in order to facilitate the reporting of hate crime. The group examined policing practices for An Garda Síochána and advised on the policing needs of the Traveller Community.

In 2023, 'Dialogue Days' with the Traveller community were held on a local basis throughout the country, during which local and national representatives of Traveller groups and An Garda Síochána discussed issues relating to the Traveller Groups, including hate crime. Hate crimes were also discussed at similar dialogue days held with representatives of local LGBT communities.

Two-day Garda workshops for Garda Diversity Officers were held that included civil society contributions to the training. At the workshop, representatives of diverse and minority groups presented their culture and lived experiences to the Garda Diversity Officers.

There was a large increase of International Protection Asylum Seekers to Ireland in 2023. An Garda Síochána arranged visits with all of the International Protection Asylum Seekers centres to ascertain the issues that they were encountering, and to provide support and advice on how to report hate crime online and at their local station.

Notable cases:

•    A schoolboy was viciously assaulted and filmed by a large group of youths due to his sexual orientation. Five perpetrators were arrested and cautioned. The attack was widely condemned in national media by prominent politicians and public figures and messages of solidarity were sent in support of the victim and their family.