Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ignited controversy by pushing for new laws in response to a riot in Dublin that stemmed from a stabbing attack by an alleged immigrant. The prime minister has vowed to expedite laws to give police the power to use facial recognition technologies for identifying suspects and updating the “incitement to hatred legislation.” However, his plans to push through the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, which critics have dubbed the “hate speech bill” or the “hate crime bill,” have sparked strong reactions.
Free Speech Ireland has accused the prime minister of “citing the actions of a few to erode the rights of all.” Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), also criticized the bill. His comment on Twitter alleged that the Irish prime minister “hates the Irish people.” The taoiseach’s push for legislation came after a riot that occurred following a stabbing incident at a school. The riot resulted in 34 arrests and widespread property damage in Dublin city center.
In the aftermath of the attack, calls circulated on social media for people to gather in the city center for a protest. This led to 500 protesters and hooligans showing up, ultimately resulting in violent rioting and property destruction. The rioters threw objects at the police, seriously injuring one officer, and vandalized and looted shops while setting fire to cars, buses, and a Luas tram. Mr. Varadkar estimated the damage caused by the riot to potentially run into “tens of millions.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris blamed “far-right ideology” for driving the violence. The taoiseach emphasized the need for new laws to address online hatred, stating that the existing legislation is not suitable for the social media age. The legislation would criminalize materials likely to incite violence or hatred against people due to their protected characteristics, leading to concerns about a “thought crime section” and potential criminalization of genocide denial. This legislation has sparked controversy since its introduction and is currently under scrutiny in the upper house of parliament.