Live statuteSupportedIERacial hatred
s.2
Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989
- Target
- Actions likely to stir up hatred
- Test
- Publish/distribute, or use words/behaviour/display outside a private residence, that are threatening, abusive or insulting and intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, likely to stir up hatred.
- Max
- See s.6 of the same Act (not quoted here)
It shall be an offence for a person—(a) to publish or distribute written material, (b) to use words, behave or display written material— (i) in any place other than inside a private residence, or (ii) inside a private residence so that the words, behaviour or material are heard or seen by persons outside the residence, or (c) to distribute, show or play a recording of visual images or sounds, if the written material, words, behaviour, visual images or sounds, as the case may be, are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred.
Official text, Irish Statute Book, Office of the Attorney General.
Cite · No. 19 of 1989, s.2 · as of 2026-09-05
- Hatred is defined in s.1 by reference to race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation. Overlay.
- Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 exists. Its operative quote is Unproven here.