Monday, 9 July 2018

09.07.2018

Following the launch of the report the Lifecycle of a Hate Crime: Country Report for Ireland, the Minister for Justice and Equality Charles Flanagan issued a statement that acknowledged the report as a very important piece of research in relation to how the Irish criminal justice system can do better in combatting hatred. 

Co-author of the report Dr. Amanda Hanyes spoke at the launch (4 July 2018) saying: 

"The criminal justice process is not responsive to victims’ experiences of targeted hostility against their identity. There is no certainty that a hate motivation will be presented in court. There is no way of recording that an offender has committed a hate crime, meaning that is no way of addressing this type of offending behaviour and no way of recognising recidivists. ‘Hate crime’ simply is not part of the language of the Irish criminal justice process. ”

The statement from the Minister followed:

"I very much welcome the report on hate crime published today by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

Hate motivation for crime results in vulnerable groups and individuals being targeted simply for who they are.  That is not acceptable to me or the Government, and I know that it is not acceptable to the Irish people.

This report on hate crime is a hugely important piece of research, and makes a series of recommendations on how our criminal justice system can do better in combatting hatred.

These recommendations include changes to legislation on incitement to hatred and sentencing, better reporting and recording of hate-motivated crimes, enhanced procedures for the investigation of such crimes, and training and guidelines for prosecutors.  They are a very valuable contribution to the development of improved policy and procedures in this important area."

For the full statement see here

For more on the launch of the report see here.