Ireland’s Criminal Justice (Hate Offenses) Act 2024 has officially come into effect, marking a significant shift in Ireland’s approach to addressing crimes motivated by hatred. Signed into force by Justice Minister Helen McEntee, the law promises harsher penalties for offenses deemed to involve hatred against individuals based on an extensive list of protected characteristics. Approved by the Oireachtas in October, the legislation expands protections for groups targeted because of their race, color, nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, or disability. Notably, its definition of gender includes a range of identities, encompassing transgender individuals and “non-binary” genders. Under the law, offenses such as assault, criminal damage, and the dissemination of threatening material may carry increased sentences if prosecutors can prove a hate-motivated element. Even if hatred is not conclusively demonstrated in court, the original offense can still lead to a conviction. Additionally, if evidence of hatred emerges during unrelated trials, judges are required to treat it as an aggravating factor and record the crime as hate-related.