Increase in hate-related crimes and incidents in 2024, gardaí say

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

There was an increase in hate-related crimes and incidents in 2024, according to new figures from An Garda Siochána.

There were 732 discriminatory motivated incidents or crimes last year, according to figures from the Garda Pulse system, a 4 per cent increase on 696 in 2023 and up from 483 in 2021.

This breaks down as 592 hate crimes and 84 hate-related incidents in 2024.

The increases were across all nine discriminatory motives tracked, An Garda Síochána said.

A senior Garda encouraged the public to report hate-related crimes and said that when someone is targeted in Ireland over “a fundamental characteristic it is a stain on all of society”.

Anti-race has remained the most prevalent discriminatory motive, accounting for 39 per cent of all motives, and has increased from 36% in 2023.

In 2024, anti-nationality increased to a quarter of all motives compared to 18 per cent in 2023.

Despite being the third highest motive in hate incidents during 2023 and 2024, anti-sexual orientation has declined year on year (70 in 2024 and 109 in 2023).

The largest percentage of hate motives were recorded in public order incidents (31 per cent), minor assaults (22 per cent) and criminal damage not by fire (16 per cent).

As was the case in the previous three years, just under half of all hate related incidents occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, though there has been a year-on-year reduction.

Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones, who has responsibility for community engagement, said that despite the recorded increases, hate related crime is underreported.

“While these figures do indicate a further increase in the number of people that come forward to An Garda Siochana and report an incident of crime which was motivated by hate, we recognise that hate related crime is still underreported in Ireland.

“When a person or group is targeted because of a fundamental characteristic it is a stain on all of society.

“Together we must continue to reject hate and discrimination and consistently remind one another that everyone has a right to live safely and free from prejudice.

“Incidents of this nature are not and never will be acceptable.

“I really encourage anyone that has experienced an incident of crime which has been motivated by hate to please come forward and report your experience, I assure you that we will support you in any way that we can.”

An Garda Síochána said there are over 500 Garda Diversity Officers working across the country who engage with minority communities and individuals on a daily basis.

It said thousands of Garda personnel had undertaken a certificate programme in human rights and policing in Ireland, in collaboration with the University of Limerick.