What are the proposed new hate crime laws and why the delay?

What exactly is in the new hate crime Bill?

It’s likely that the proposed new hate crime laws will be delayed again until next year despite Government plans to have the measures enacted by the end of 2023. A spokesman for Minister for Justice Helen McEntee confirmed the new timeline, which comes after numerous Coalition figures indicated their intention to change the laws in light of the recent Dublin riots, following an attack on five people outside a school. ---More...

The Irish government wants to pass a law that could see you or your loved ones jailed for possession of memes, cartoons or any content that could be deemed "hateful".

The Bill includes no definition of hate and is wide open to abuse by bad actors. Defend free speech – say no to… pic.twitter.com/fe54yY4BFt

— Free Speech Ireland (@FreeSpeechIre)January 15, 2024