LGBT Ireland - Harassment & Violence

Homophobic or transphobic harassment and violence against LGBT people are crimes and if you are the victim of such a crime you can report it to An Garda Síochána. If you call the LGBT Ireland Helpline (1890 929 539), our volunteers will listen and provide you with support if you have been the victim of a hate crime.

Definitions

Hate Crimes: Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Hate Incidents: Any non-crime incident which is perceived by any person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Explanatory notes:

• A person, community, or institution may be a victim of a hate crime by virtue of perceived or actual association with a particular group or background.
• ‘Motivation’ is presumed by a demonstration or expression of hostility or prejudice.
• Ethnicity includes ‘Traveller’ and ‘Roma’.
• Religion includes ‘non-believers’.
• ‘Gender’ includes gender identity, transgender, intersex, gender expression and gender exploration.
• An ‘incident’ is an occurrence reported to An Garda Síochána.

Garda Diversity Officers

The Gardaí provide a Liaison scheme for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community. Diversity Officers are trained to provide support to victims from the LGBT community and encourage reporting of homophobic crime.

An Garda Síochána – Diversity and Integration Strategy

An Garda Síochána have launched their Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021, you can read the full strategy here.