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Is there a legal definition of hate speech?

Code:
RED22
Key Area:
Anti-racist Crime Legislation & Implementation
Strand(s):
Racism
24/02/2012 - 18:33
Short Answer

Hate speech legislature in Ireland is covered by the Prohibition of Incitement of Hatred Act 1989 which forbids actions likely to stir up hatred, broadcasts likely to stir up hatred and preparation and possession of material likely to stir up hatred.

Qualitative Info

Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.
Actions likely to stir up hatred:
(1) 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,
(2) If an item involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds is broadcast, each of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up hatred or, having regard to all the circumstances, hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.
(2) The persons referred to in subsection (1) are:
(a) the person providing the broadcasting service concerned,
(b) any person by whom the item concerned is produced or directed, and
(c) any person whose words or behaviour in the item
 concerned are threatening, abusive or insulting.
(3) It shall be an offence for a person—
(a) to prepare or be in possession of any written material with a view to its being distributed, displayed, broadcast or otherwise published, in the State or elsewhere, whether by himself or another, or
(b) to make or be in possession of a recording of sounds or visual images with a view to its being distributed, shown, played, broadcast or otherwise published, in the State or elsewhere, whether by himself or another,
if the material or recording is threatening, abusive or insulting and is intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, including such distribution, display, broadcasting, showing, playing or other publication thereof as the person has, or it may reasonably be inferred that he has, in view, is likely to stir up hatred.

Groups affected/interested Migrants, Refugees, Roma & Travelers, Muslims, Ethnic minorities, Religious minorities, Linguistic minorities, Majority, Asylum seekers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Persons with disability, Africans/black people, National minorities
Type (R/D) Extremism - organised Racist Violence, Anti-migrant/xenophobia, Anti-semitism, Islamophobia, Afrophobia, Arabophobia, Anti-roma/zinghanophobia, Religious intolerance, Inter-ethnic, Intra-ethnic, Nationalism, Homophobia, On grounds of disability, On grounds of other belief, Anti-roma/ romaphobia, Xenophobia
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas Policing - law enforcement, Employment - labour market, Culture, Media, Internet, Political discourse -parties - orgs, Political participation, Anti-discrimination, Anti-racism, Integration - social cohesion, Daily life, Religion
External Url http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/act/pub/0019/print.html#sec6
Situation(s)
Library