Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Jim O’Callaghan TD says the Minister for Justice should progress Fianna Fáil legislation which deals with hate crime.
His call follows the release of deeply disturbing images of a teenage girl who was attacked in Dublin in what is being reported as a racially motivated assault.
“Fianna Fáil condemns those who engaged in this act in the strongest possible terms. No person should be the subject of such treatment, and perpetrators should be dealt with in the strongest possible terms”, said Deputy O’Callaghan.
“The Minister for Justice should work to progress Fianna Fáil’s Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill at the nearest opportunity. The Bill received cross party support and passed second stage in the Dáil in October 2016. The Bill went through pre-legislative scrutiny in May 2017 but has stalled since then due to Government inaction.
“Similar legislation is already in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. Ireland is behind the curve on this issue as a result of government inaction.
“If enacted, the Fianna Fáil bill would provide that assaults such as these would be regarded as aggravated because the victim was targeted because of her religion. This aggravation would be a factor to be taken into account by a court in imposing sentence on any person convicted of the offence.
“We need robust laws in place to serve as a deterrent to those who consider committing these acts and ensure the appropriate punishment is there to prosecute those who commit hate crimes”.
