Gardaí bring 46 court proceedings under hate crime legislation since it came into force last year

Since the legislation was passed, a total of 28 cases have been initiated for the offence of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place aggravated by hatred.

As many as 46 court proceedings have been initiated by An Garda Síochána under hate crime legislation that came into effect at the beginning of last year, new figures have revealed.

The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 recognised hate crime as a distinct category of criminal activity for the first time, with perpetrators facing harsher sentences where particular offences are motivated by hatred.