What is hate crime?

What is a Hate Crime?

Any criminal offence, which is aggravated by hatred, against a person or a group of persons, on account of their protected characteristics or any one of those characteristics.

What is a Hate Incidents – (Non Crime)

Any non-crime incident, which is aggravated by hatred against a person or a group of persons, on account of their protected characteristics or any one of those characteristics.

Hate Crime: Protected Characteristics

Protected Characteristics: Race, Colour, Nationality, Religion, National or Ethnic Origin, Descent, Gender, Sex Characteristics, Sexual Orientation, or Disability.

Explanatory Notes

Aggravation can mean the demonstration of hatred towards a victim or the offence is motivated (wholly or partly) by hatred. Find more information at the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
An `Incident` is an occurrence reported to An Garda Síochána.
`Membership`, in relation to a group, includes association with members of the group; and `Presumed membership`, means presumed by the person, who commits an offence.
Ethnicity National or Ethnic Origin Traveller and Roma.
Religion includes the absence of a religious conviction or belief.
Gender includes gender expression, gender identity, transgender and a gender other than those of male and female.
Sex characteristics means the physical and biological features of a person relating to sex.
An `Incident` is an occurrence reported to An Garda Síochána.

Click HERE for more information on Protected Characteristics.

Examples of hate crime?

Examples may include:

Assault
Criminal damage
Harassment
Public order
Threats to kill/cause serious harm
Coercion
Endangerment

Report a Hate Crime

Always report any incident you perceive as motivated aggravated by hate to An Garda Síochána.

In an emergency always dial 999/112

You should use this service if a crime or incident is happening now or if anyone is in immediate danger

Report to your local Garda station

Click HERE for the contact information of all Garda stations.

Use the Garda Online Hate Crime Reporting Service

Click HERE to Report a Hate Crime Online.

This service is for reporting hate crime only and should not be used in other circumstances

Use the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111

What happens when I make a report

When you make a report to An Garda Síochána, you will be attended to/contacted by a Garda who will take your report.

He/she will make an assessment to commence an investigation.
An investigation will involve gathering evidence such as taking statements from victim(s) and witnesses, etc.
You will be offered a choice to be referred to victim support.
You will be kept informed of developments throughout the investigation.

Garda Diversity Officers

There are Garda Diversity Officers appointed throughout every Garda division in the country. They are trained, developed and supported to actively engage with and attend to the concerns of minority, diverse and underrepresented communities - providing reassurance, building trust and extending the accessibility of the Garda Service.

An updated contact list of Garda Diversity Officer can be found HERE.

Garda National Diversity Unit

Should you be unable to attend your local Garda station, you can seek the services of the Garda National Diversity Unit at diversity@garda.ie, who will act as liaison with your local Garda station or Garda Diversity Officer.

If you require additional information about hate crime, the staff at the Garda National Diversity Unit will deal with your query.

Disclaimer

Details are correct at time of publishing, and are provided as guidance only. Seek legal advice from your solicitor where necessary.