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Safety · Ireland
Updated September 2026

✊ I was attacked or threatened because of who I am — who do I report it to?

Direct answer

Violence, threats or damage motivated by origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is a hate crime with higher penalties, and it is under-reported — which is why reporting matters. An Garda Síochána (garda.ie): say explicitly that you believe the motive was hate, and ask for it to be recorded as such. Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) (01 858 9601) — the equality body — supports victims, monitors how the police handle it and can take a discrimination case in parallel. Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006 (116 006) offers free support, also if you decide not to report.

Call firstAn Garda Síochána
Report toIrish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
If that failsCrime Victims Helpline — 116 006

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] at [place] I was [attacked / threatened / insulted] by [description]. They said [words] which show it was because of my [origin / religion / orientation / …]. Witnesses: [names]. I want this recorded as a hate crime."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Safety and medical careGet out of the situation; see a doctor and ask for injuries to be documented.
  2. EvidencePhotos, the exact words used, witnesses' contacts, camera locations nearby.
  3. Report to An Garda SíochánaUse the words "hate crime" or "bias motive". Ask for a copy of the report and the case number.
  4. Tell Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)Equality bodies track these cases, support victims, and can intervene if the police do not take it seriously.
  5. Support: Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006Counselling, help with the process, compensation claims — free.

📇 All contacts

An Garda SíochánaReport at any station or via the Garda websiteAlways — you need the PULSE reference for the bank🔗 www.garda.ie/en/crime/fraud
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)Advice and support on discrimination; WRC decides claimsDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 01 858 9601🔗 www.ihrec.ie
Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006Free victim support, information on the process, compensation tribunalAfter any crime📞 116 006🔗 crimevictimshelpline.ie
Legal Aid Board / FLACCivil legal aid on low income; free legal advice clinics (FLAC)When you cannot afford a solicitor📞 0818 615 200🔗 www.legalaidboard.ie

❓ Frequently asked

The police did not record the motive

Ask in writing for the motive to be added; involve Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). Recording the bias motive matters for the charge and for statistics.

It was online

Hate speech online is prosecutable; save screenshots with URLs and report to the platform and the police (see the online-harassment page).

I do not want to report but need help

Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006 and community organisations support you without a report. Some countries have third-party reporting so the incident is counted anonymously.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “report hate crime Ireland”
  • “racist attack police report”
  • “homophobic assault what to do”
  • “equality body hate crime support”
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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🚻Discrimination at work→💻Online harassment→🆔Identity theft→📲Family emergency scam→

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