This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Ireland. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Ireland's hate crime report page.

Hate crime recording and data collection

Hate crime data is recorded by An Garda Síochána (Ireland's National Police and Security Service, or 'Garda'), in line with Section 77 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. The Act places an obligation on the Garda Commissioner to compile and store statistical information concerning offences and to make it available to the Minister for Justice and the Central Statistics Office. Hate Crime data is published annually and is available on the Garda website. 

Hate crime data is recorded in the Garda PULSE System, the national production database containing active records and records subject to change. PULSE captures hate crime data, which can include the text of an original Computer-Aided Dispatch or 999/112 call, comprehensive incident details, and notes on ongoing investigations as well as any eventual Court Outcome. Hate crimes are recorded by selecting the hate-related tick box along with the mandatory selection of an associated discriminatory motive (bias motivation). The "incident narrative" screen includes a written account of the incident, which supports the hate-related element and the discriminatory motive. All hate-related data recorded on PULSE is clearly marked with an "H" identifier.

Since the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, a criminal offence is recorded as a hate crime when the offence occurs and is aggravated by hatred against a person or a group of persons on account of their "race", colour, nationality, religion, national or ethnic origin, descent, gender, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, or disability. These offences are contained in the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. Section 8(1) of the Act also allows for the inclusion of non-specified offences.

In 2025, amendments were introduced to the PULSE System to align the protected characteristics contained in the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 with the bias motivations on PULSE, which are now as follows: anti-race, anti-colour, anti-nationality, anti-religion, anti-national or ethnic origin, anti-descent, anti-gender, anti-sex characteristics, anti-sexual orientation, anti-disability.

Non-crime hate incidents are recorded on the Pulse System as hate-related, and are also assigned the appropriate discriminatory motive(s).

An Garda Síochána use perception-based recording. The perception of the victim or any other person (such as family members, a guardian, a friend, a witness, or a Garda) is a defining factor in determining if a hate crime or incident has occurred. No corroborating evidence is required at the reporting stage.

The policy procedures and guidance documents on responding to hate crimes and non-crime hate incidents were also updated to reflect the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. As of August 2026, these documents are awaiting final legal review ahead of publication.

An Garda Síochána has formalized third-party reporting with a "Third Party Referral Agreement" to allow civil society organizations to refer hate crime cases directly to the Garda National Diversity Unit, which can take appropriate action on each referral. In July 2021, An Garda Síochána launched an online hate crime reporting system to provide victims with specific needs a safe and secure environment in which to report hate crimes. 

Hate crime victim support

Ireland provides both general victim support and specialized support to victims of hate crime, including those targeted by a specific bias. However, victims of hate crime do not have a status different from that of other crime victims.

Irish law requires An Garda Síochána, to guarantee specific rights to victims of crime in Ireland. It mandates that victims must be treated with respect, provided with comprehensive information about their case and rights, and offered protection from secondary victimization. 

At the initial recording stage of a hate crime, the investigating Garda completes a victim assessment section, which includes information on the following: 

• any identified bias motivations or other motives;
• the victim's nationality and country of origin;
• whether a translator is required;
• whether the victim is a tourist;
• whether the victim is a child;
• any special needs that should be considered, e.g., hearing, literacy, mobility, protection, visual or other needs;
• the victim's relationship to the offender (if any);
• the victim's preferred means of contact; and
• whether the victim has previously been victimized.

The Irish Victims Charter outlines what victims of crime can expect from the criminal justice system in Ireland and provides information on victim support services, which includes victims of hate crime.

In each of the 21 Garda divisions there is a Garda Victims Services Office that serves as the main focal point for crime victims. These, and the specially trained staff assigned to them, are responsible for communicating with victims of crime, prioritizing their needs and acting as a central co-ordination point for the provision of information, support and services to victims of crime.

In addition, the Divisional Protective Services Units are specially trained Garda units tasked with improving services to victims of crime, including hate crime victims. Where available, officers representing these units engage with the victim from the first point of contact. Garda Diversity Officers can be assigned to support victims of hate crime or affected communities where required. Garda Family Liaison Officers are assigned to families of murder victims.

There is a procedure in place to conduct individual needs assessment (INAs). If necessary, police can also apply special protection measures, including engaging a police officer or a doctor of the same gender as the victim. Victims can be accompanied by persons of their choice when reporting to the police, obtain copies of their statements, be informed about the arrest or release of the perpetrator, and be provided with interpretation services.

Victims can choose to be referred to support services by the Garda Victim Services Offices. Depending on the results of the INA, these might be general support services, or services tailored to the needs of hate crime victims. In the latter case, the referral procedure is informal and services are often provided by civil society organizations. There is also a National Crime Victims Helpline, which can refer victims to the relevant service provider. Victim support services are free of charge. Victims can complain about their treatment by police at the Garda Victim Services Offices. The complaints are dealt with by the Fíosrú (the Irish Police Ombudsman).

During court proceedings, victims have access to special arrangements, including separate entrances/exits to the court building, the option to exclude the public from the court hearing, and the use of video conferencing equipment or a screen. In some circumstances, victims are entitled to free legal aid. Decisions on compensation for crime victims are managed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. After an offender's conviction, a court may also order compensation to be paid to victims as part of the sentence.

The Garda National Diversity Unit is a specialist unit, responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring, and advising on all aspects of policing in Ireland's diverse communities. This includes managing and addressing responses to hate crime. This unit supports a network of over 500 Garda Diversity Officers (GDOs) appointed to work with minority communities at the local level. The list of GDOs is published on the Garda website and is updated regularly. These officers are trained to actively engage with and attend to the concerns of minority, diverse and under-represented communities; they provide reassurance, build trust and extend the accessibility of the Garda Service. 

Together with the Garda National Diversity Unit, the GDO officers play a fundamental role in helping to prevent hate crimes and encourage and facilitate reporting, including by providing specialist advice and assistance to hate crime victims. Ongoing workshops with GDOs ensure they remain upskilled and updated on new policies, procedures and legislation relevant to hate crime and other issues affecting minority communities. Victims of hate crime regularly participate in workshops, where they are invited to provide their lived perspective of the criminal justice system.

Under Irish law, restorative justice services (RJS) are provided in partnership with the Courts, the Probation Service, An Garda Siochana, victim advocates and community representatives. Restorative justice programmes focus on meeting the needs of victims of crime, while also challenging the behaviour of those who offend. Separately, An Garda Síochána actively incorporates restorative justice services, principally through the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, for offenders under the age of 18.

Hate crime capacity building

In 2021, An Garda Síochána designed a comprehensive Online Hate Crime Training Programme in collaboration with Facing Facts and the Irish Network Against Racism. The four-hour course was mandatory for all Garda members and civilian staff who work in public-facing roles. It covers the nature and impact of hate crimes, information needed to identify and record hate crimes, community engagement and risk assessment, as well as considerations for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. The content includes contributions from civil society representatives detailing the impact of hate crime on victims and their wider community. Recent developments on recording practices, Garda policy, the current legal framework, identifying bias motivation and the sensitive treatment of victims were also addressed. The completion rate for the course is 85 per cent.