A new report to be launched today will call for tougher sentences for hate crimes.
Researchers at the University of Limerick carried out the project - which examined the perspective of NGOs on the issue.
The document - to be launched by Senator Ivana Bacik - is expected to call for the creation of new offences to protect vulnerable communities.
Richard Chambers reports:
The University of Limerick's 'Life Free From Fear' project says Ireland stands virtually alone in both Europe and the West for its absence of hate crime legislation.
It's surveyed 14 advocacy groups for those with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities and the LGBT community - which detailed instances of physical and verbal abuse.
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik - who will launch the report later this morning - says it goes to show that hate crime is a "very real phenomenon" in Ireland.
The researchers behind the project are now calling on the Government for new offences and longer sentences for assault, harrassment and other crimes motivated by hatred or prejudice.
