15% rise in hate crimes in Ireland in 2025, Gardaí statistics show

An Garda Síochána has today published figures on Hate Crimes and Hate Related Incidents reported during 2025.

The report has seen the number of Hate Crimes and Hate Related Incidents increase by 15%, rising to 780 in 2025, supporting an increase in reporting of such matters to An Garda Síochána.

This is the fifth such publication and it has been produced to align with the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act, 2024.  This new piece of legislation prescribes discriminatory motives associated with the following protected characteristics: Race, Colour, Nationality, Religion, National or Ethnic Origin, Descent, Gender, Sex Characteristics, Sexual Orientation and Disability.

The report has found that a total of 780 Hate Crimes and Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents were recorded in 2025 (up from 676 in 2024).

• 15% increase in the number of Hate Crimes and Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents reported to An Garda Síochána compared to 2024
• 688 Hate Crimes (592 in 2024)
• 92 Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents (84 in 2024)

Anti-race has remained the most prevalent discriminatory motive at 40% of all motives, and has increased from 39% in 2024, while anti-nationality decreased to 23% of all motives, from 25% in 2024.

Anti-sexual orientation has remained static at 70 incidents in 2025, though this represents a drop from 10% to 8% as a proportion of all motives recorded annually.

Once again during 2025, hate motives were evident in a variety of reported criminal incidents. The largest percentage being recorded in public order (32%), minor assaults (16%) criminal damage (not by fire) (13%), assault causing harm (7%) and murder/ threats (4%).

As was the case in the previous three years, just under half (49%) of all Hate Related Incidents occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. There has been a year-on-year increase in incidents reported in all but the Southern Region. The three other operational regions recorded were Eastern Region (20%), Southern Region (14%) and the North-Western Region (16%).

In recognition that Hate Crime and Hate Related Incidents can go unreported for a variety of reasons, An Garda Síochána wishes to advise the public that where they believe they are a victim of a Hate Crime or a Hate Related Incident, that this will be taken seriously and actioned accordingly. If a person witnesses such an incident, they can also report this to An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána has a dedicated mechanism to report such incidents via the Online Hate Crime Reporting Portal. Hate Crimes and Hate Related Incidents can also be reported directly to any Garda Station or via the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.

An Garda Síochána continues in its efforts to strengthen its network of Garda Diversity Officers to support victims and those affected by hate in communities around Ireland.

At present there are over 600 Garda Diversity Officers working across every Garda division, who engage with minority communities and individuals on a daily basis, to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them.

Up to the end of 2025, 4,500 Garda personnel had undertaken a certificate programme in Human Rights and Policing. The course is delivered in collaboration with the University of Limerick.

Welcoming the publication of the 2025 statistics, Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB) said, “While we note that these figures do represent an increase in reporting of hate related matters, An Garda Síochána does welcome the fact that more people feel confident to make contact with us and make a report. It is acknowledged that Hate Crime and Hate Related Incidents are under-reported in Ireland, and this is why we encourage victims and those who witness such incidents to engage with us.

“When a person or group is targeted because of a fundamental characteristic, it has a very deep impact on that individual or group and as such cannot, and should not, be tolerated in Irish society as it tarnishes our values and what we stand for. Together we must continue to reject hate and discrimination and consistently remind one another that everyone has a right to live safely and free from prejudice. Incidents of this nature are not, and never will be, acceptable.

“And so today, I want to encourage anyone who has experienced an incident or crime which has been motivated by hate, to please come forward and report your experience. An Garda Síochána is committed to upholding the human rights of all, and will support you in any way that we can.”

Case Studies:

1. In March 2025, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), a person was attacked, assaulted and robbed by a male and female known to them.  Following investigation, a male and female (aged in their early 20s) were arrested and charged with robbery and assault causing harm, aggravated by hatred relating to the person’s gender identity. Both suspects were convicted, with the male being sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, and the female to 12 months imprisonment.
2. In April 2025, in the Louth / Cavan / Monaghan Division, an individual reported that a derogatory name relating to their skin colour had been written on their car overnight.  Following investigation which included the viewing of CCTV, a juvenile female was identified and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, where a caution was administered.
3. In April 2025, in the Mayo / Roscommon / Longford Division, an individual was in a playground with their two children, one of whom had dark skin.  Two teenagers in the playground made animal sounds and used derogatory language relating to the colour of their skin.  Following investigation, two male juveniles were identified and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, where a caution was administered.
4. In April 2025, in the Cork City Division, two males used derogatory language and actions towards a same sex couple at a licensed premises.  Following investigation, two males (aged in their 40s) were arrested and charged with public order offences. Upon conviction in court, they were fined a total of €850.
5. In April 2025, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), a non-national taxi driver was physically and verbally abused by a non-national passenger on religious grounds. Following investigation, a male (aged in his 30s) was identified and charged with various offences. He was convicted in court and fined €300.
6. In August 2025, in the Cork City Division, a person was verbally abused in relation to their gender identity in a library.  Following investigation, two male juveniles were identified and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme where a caution was administered.

7. In October 2025, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), a gay male was attacked and robbed by four males.  Following investigation, four males (aged in their 20s and 30s) were identified and charged in connection with the robbery. This case is ongoing with a Circuit Court appearance pending.

8. In November 2025, in the Louth / Cavan / Monaghan Division, a non-national person reported windows of a house being broken and a front door damaged.  Following investigation, a male juvenile was identified and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme where they were deemed unsuitable for caution. This male juvenile was charged and is currently before the courts.