Hate crime: Two fifths of Irish people surveyed believe hate is on the rise
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The majority of people believe that hate crime is a serious or very serious problem in their area, according to a major survey.
The research, compiled by the University of Limerick (UL) and Queen’s University Belfast, included input from some 2,000 people from either side of the border, and found that 39% of people think hate crimes have risen a lot over the last five years.
The findings are likely to increase pressure on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to accelerate the passing of new hate crime legislation in the coming months, with many respondents claiming existing laws are inefficient in responding to the problem.
Researchers found:
- 66% of people believe hate crime is a serious or very serious problem;
- 63% disagreed that hate crimes are rare;
- 30% agreed that An Garda Síochána respond to hate crime effectively;
- 22% agreed that the courts respond to hate crimes effectively.
More specifically, 69% of respondents said that hate crime is a very serious problem for trans people followed by black people (64%) gay, lesbian, and bi people (60%), and Muslim people (60%).
This was followed by members of the Traveller community (54%), older people (39%), disabled people (39%), Jewish people (31%), and those with certain political beliefs (29%).
The stigma of a conviction for a hate crime was also measured, and showed that people are less likely to employ someone with a conviction for a hate crime and less likely to welcome them into their neighbourhood.
When asked how comfortable they would be hiring someone convicted of criminal damage, 29% of respondents said they would be very uncomfortable.
Researchers also noted concerns over respondents being misinformed on the topic, with 43% of respondents in the Republic incorrectly believing that there is hate crime legislation in place.
A further 59% incorrectly believed a suspect can be charged with a hate crime in Ireland.
Amanda Haynes, Professor of Sociology at UL and co-director of the European Centre for the Study of Hate, said that, although public opinion should not determine legislation, public awareness and understanding are important to the effectiveness of the criminal law.
“Our research shows that there is currently a lot of misinformation around the topic of hate crime across the island of Ireland.
"Such shortfalls in the public’s awareness of current policy responses is concerning,” she said.