Hate crime convictions will have prison sentences increased by 25%

People convicted of aggravated offences and found to be motivated by prejudice, such as against race, religion or gender, will have their sentences increased under new laws

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is bringing forward hate crime legislation to introduce tougher sentences for convicted of certain offences. 

Criminals convicted under tough new hate crime laws will have prison sentences increased by up to one-quarter, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

The Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021, which will be introduced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee later today will create new, aggravated forms of criminal offences, where those offences are motivated by prejudice.