Figures Show That One Hate Crime Is Recorded To Gardaí Every Day

Hate crimes are being reported to the Gardaí Síochána at a rate of almost one every day, according the Central Statistics Office.

A total of 151 aggravated incidents were recorded by gardaí in the first six months of this year alone. That is nearly double the numbers previously logged.

2009 saw a hate crime filled year, with 164 incidents reported to the gardaí. This number seemed to ebb and flow the past number of years, showcasing a slow decline with just 109 incidents reported in 2013.

However, this year is already at 151, and numbers and rising. This number is expected to be almost doubled by the end of the year.

Of the reported incidents, 98 were associated with someone’s ethnic background or religion.

With regards to offences linked to ageism and abuse of people with disabilities, the CSO states that there were 27 reported hate crimes between January to June, compared to 15 for the whole of last year.

Other incidents were said to be motivated by gender, transphobia or homophobia – with 26 cases reported in the first six months of this year, compared to just 25 for the whole of last year – the year of the marriage referendum.

Fianna Fáil has attempted to bring in legislation on hate crime, just last week, to allow sentencing judges to take certain factors into account related to race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

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