Gardai in Donegal logged a total of 15 hate crimes in the county for 2022.
The figures were released as An Garda Síochána published figures on Hate Crimes and Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents for last year.
No specific details for the the incidents in Donegal were revealed.
Overall Gardai are reporting a 29% increase in reported hate crimes & hate related (non-crime) with 582 hate crimes & hate related (non-crime) incidents recorded in 2022 compared to 448 in 2021.
An Garda Síochána policy is that “Reports of Hate Crimes or Hate Incidents will be recorded and investigated as appropriate, where it is perceived that the perpetrator’s hostility or prejudice against any person, community or institution is on the grounds of the victim’s age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender”.
An Garda Síochána continues to invest in their network of diversity officers with 481 diversity officers across the organisation.
During 2022 An Garda Síochána implemented a Hate Crime ELearning Programme developed in conjunction with NGOs. This programme has been completed by 83.2% of all Garda members.
An Garda Síochána in conjunction with the University of Limerick has continued to facilitate Garda members and Staff participating in the Policing and Human Rights Law in Ireland Level 8 Certificate programme. Over 2,000 Garda personnel at all ranks and grades have completed and been awarded this certificate.
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, whose remit includes the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit, welcomed the publication of the 2022 statistics.
She said “An Garda Síochána continues to have a strong focus on investigating crimes with a hate motive and supporting the victims of these crimes. An Garda Síochána recognises that hate crimes have a huge impact on victims, specifically because they are targeted because of a characteristic of who they are. These crimes also have a significant impact on wider communities and society”.
Assistant Commissioner Hilman added ”These statistics of incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in 2022 with a hate motive build on the baseline figures published for 2021. The level of reporting has increased overall. While it is disappointing that any incidents occur which have a hate related motive, it is positive to see more victims coming forward to An Garda Síochána and reporting their experiences.”
Assistant Commissioner Hilman further highlighted that “We all need as a community to consistently highlight and call out discrimination and hate where it occurs. I urge any person who has experienced or observed prejudice to come forward and report those incidents to us. I can assure people that complaints will be dealt with thoroughly and professionally.”
