Lack of hate crime laws a ‘glaring anomaly’

Specific offences should be urgently introduced to criminalise the motivations of people who carry out hate crimes, according to a new study.

Researchers said Ireland is coming under growing international pressure to do so and was one of the few states in Europe without such laws.

Currently in Ireland, people are convicted for a criminal offence such as assault. Under the proposals, they would be prosecuted if certain crimes were motivated by hostility, such as racism or homophobia.