New laws pertaining to hate crimes have been implemented, increasing the length of incarceration for some hate-motivated offences, reports RTE.
The purpose of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 is to safeguard individuals who are targeted due to their gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, or handicap.
According to Justice Minister Helen McEntee, her department is “determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes” and “protect vulnerable communities,” reports RTE.
The Council of Europe and other international human rights organisations had previously criticised Ireland for lacking legislative or specialised provisions for hate-aggravated offences.
“Up to now, Ireland has been one of the few remaining EU countries not to have specific hate crime offences set out in law. This is despite An Garda SÃochána recording certain crimes as hate crimes, and despite the fact that recorded hate crimes increased by 7.5% in 2023 and by 29% a year earlier,” said Ms McEntee, reports RTE.
She went on to say that she was “delighted” to sign the order and start it in its entirety, addressing a legal loophole in Ireland.
“The development of the legislation followed a comprehensive public consultation process that included surveys, consultation and engagement with people with lived experience of the impact of hate speech and hate crime,” said Minister McEntee, reports RTE.
“Research shows that victims of crime motivated by hate suffer significantly more distress as a result than victims of other types of crimes; with more adverse mental health and physical health outcomes,” reports RTE.
The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act of 1989 criminalises hate speech and incitement to hatred separately.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
