Hate crimes increased this year by 15%, new figures show

The real number is thought to be much higher.

The number of Hate Crimes and Hate Related Incidents increased by 15%, rising to 780 in 2025.

This is 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)

Racism has remained the most prevalent motive at 40% and has increased from 39% in 2024, while xenophobia decreased to 23% of all motives, from 25% in 2024.

In one case reported in April 2025, in the Louth / Cavan / Monaghan Division, someone 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.

Homopobia 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.

Hate motives were present 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%).

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.

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.

Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB) said the Gardai encourage all people to report.

"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," she said.

"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."