Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.
Click here to report a hate crime online
Always report any incident you perceive as motivated by hate to An Garda Síochána. In an emergency you must call 999/112.
You will be attended to 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.
There are five hundred and eighty six Garda Diversity Officers appointed throughout the country who can assist you in the course of the investigation, if you so wish.
Should you not wish to attend your local Garda station, you can seek the services of the Garda National Diversity Unit, who will act as liaison with your local Garda station or Garda Diversity Officer.
Should you require further information about hate crime, please contact the staff at the Garda National Diversity Unit, who will deal with any query on this.
Garda National Diversity Unit
Phone: +353-1-6663150
Email: diversity@garda.ie
All Online Hate Crime Reports received go initially to the Garda National Diversity Unit (GNDU), where they are examined and actioned. PULSE Incidents are created where appropriate and reports are forwarded for investigation depending on the type of report (outlined at 1-3 below).
- Hate Related
- Non-Hate Related
- Non-Actionable
1. HATE RELATED
- Hate Crime - PULSE Incident created by GNDU and forwarded to local district for investigation.
- Hate Incident - PULSE Incident created by GNDU and forwarded to local district for information and appropriate action.
2. NON-HATE RELATED
- Crime
Report forwarded to local district for investigation
- Hate Crime leaflet provided via email to person making the online report
2. Other (e.g. online disputes, conspiracy theories etc.)
Person making the report (Complainant) is contacted by GNDU and provided with relevant / appropriate information
(Advice with links to relevant information e.g. list of local Garda Diversity Officers, Garda station directory, Hate Crime leaflet, GSOC website etc.)
3. NON-ACTIONABLE
The following non-actionable reports are deemed closed by GNDU:
a. Incomplete reports - insufficient information provided to record
(Every effort is made to advance incomplete reports by GNDU however in some cases this proves impossible due to the lack of detail provided.)
b. Inappropriate reports - offensive / nuisance content
Responding to Hate Crimes and Non-Crime Hate Incidents Policy Document