Ireland: Introduced Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022

On 1 November 2022, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 was introduced in the Irish House of Oireachtas. The Bill amends the hate speech laws, foreseeing criminal liability for people found guilty of preparing, possessing or disseminating materials inciting violence or hatred against people on account of their protected characteristics, as well as denial or condonation of genocide. The Bill grants law enforcement with implementation powers including device search and seizure and compulsory provision of account passwords. Exceptions are foreseen for legitimate contributions to public debate lacking the aim to incite violence and other lawful purposes. Body corporates will be able to claim as a defence the existence of reasonable and effective measures aimed at preventing the conducts disciplined by the law, as well as demonstrable ignorance of the hateful nature of the material.