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Hate crime

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.

Hate Incidents – (Non Crime)

Any non-crime incident which is perceived by any 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.

Explanatory Notes
  • A person, community or institution may be a victim of hate crime by virtue of perceived or actual association with a particular group or background.
  • `Motivation` is presumed by a demonstration or expression of hostility or prejudice.
  • Ethnicity includes ‘Traveller’ and ‘Roma’.
  • Religion includes ‘non-believers’.
  • `Gender` includes gender identity, transgender, intersex, gender expression and gender exploration.
  • An `incident` is an occurrence reported to An Garda Síochána.

Examples of hate crime?  

Verbal abuse, obscene/offensive calls, text, mail or emails, assault, harassment, criminal damage, arson, manslaughter, murder

For more information, click here to view poster.

Hate Crime 

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 two hundred and eight one 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 & Integration 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 & Integration Unit, who will deal with any query on this.

Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit

Phone: +353-1-6663150

Email: diversity@garda.ie

For more information, click here to view poster.