651 hate crime incidents reported to gardaí last year

Anti-migrant, anti-race and anti-nationality sentiments have for the first time become the most prevalent motive for hate crimes, according to new Garda figures released today

Hate has emerged a motive primarily in public order offences but also in minor assaults and criminal damage, with the largest proportion of crimes recorded in Dublin.

Hate crimes and hate incidents are recorded and investigated where it is believed a perpetrator’s hostility or prejudice against any person, community or institution is on the grounds of the victim’s age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

The crime has continued to increase over the past two years.

Gardaí say 651 hate crime incidents were reported last year, an increase of 12%.

In 27% of all cases, the motive was anti-race, followed by anti-nationality at 18% and anti-sexual orientation in 16% of all cases.

It is the first time in the three years that the figures have been recorded that anti-nationality has overtaken anti-sexual orientation, which gardaí believe reflects a growing anti-migrant and anti-immigrant sentiment in the country.

Much of this sentiment is fuelled by far right activists online and at protests along with disinformation and misinformation deliberately circulated on social media.

The largest number of hate crimes, 27% were public order offences, followed by minor assaults at 16% and criminal damage not by fire at 9%.

The emergence of hate as a motive in 3% of the reported criminal damage by fire cases is gardaí say reflective of the increase in arson attacks on properties, some of which had not been designated for international protection applicants.

Most hate crime took place in Dublin, over 44% of it last year, followed by the North West at 21%, the South at 19% and the East of the country at 16%.

Gardaí say there are now over 500 Garda Diversity Officers working across the country who engage with minority communities and individuals on a daily basis.

The officer in charge of Community Engagement says that while it is disappointing that these incidents continue to occur and increase, it is positive that victims are coming forward.

Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones said everyone has a right to live safely and being targeted because of a characteristic has an enormous and often life-altering impact on a victim, and as a society we must continue to reject hate and discrimination.