Criminals in Ireland can now face harsher prison sentences if their crimes are motivated by hate, targeting a person's race, identity, or sexual orientation. The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, signed into law by Justice Minister Helen McEntee, aims to protect vulnerable communities and sends a strong message against hate-motivated attacks.
Criminals in Ireland can now receive increased prison sentences if the crime committed is found to be motivated by hate in targeting a person's race, identity, or sexual orientation.
READ MORE: Met Eireann issues ominous New Year's Eve warning as 'significant and impactful' weather event in store Minister McEntee said she is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect vulnerable communities. She added: “This legislation sends a clear message to those who target victims because of their association with a particular identity characteristic that they will be prosecuted for hate crime.
In September, Minister McEntee announced that she had dropped plans to introduce new hate speech laws. She had previously announced plans to include a hate speech element in the new legislation that comes into effect today.
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