A member of the Clare Public Participation Network says education and culture are needed on top of legislative measures to combat hate crime.
It comes as tributes continue to be paid to two Sligo men who were murdered in the town earlier this week.
A hate crime is described by Gardai as any offence that is motivated by prejudice towards one’s age, disability, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says she hopes such legislation will be published by the summer.
It follows the murders of Aidan Moffit and Michael Snee, who were killed in separate incidents in Sligo town on Sunday and Tuesday of this week.
22-year-old Yousef Palani appeared in Sligo District Court yesterday evening charged with the murders of Aidan Moffit, and Michael Snee, along with the assault of a third man.
Amnesty International’s Colm O’Gorman condemned the tragedy and praised the public’s response in showing solidarity with the LGBT community.
Vigils organised by the LGBTQ community are being held across the country this weekend, including in Killaloe on Sunday afternoon.
Sarah Clancy, who’s a member of community support group Quare Clare, believes while any legislation is welcome, an educational approach to eradicating hate crime is also needed.
However, a prominent campaigner for hate crime legislation in Ireland says it may pay off for the Government to take its time to introduce the measure.
Dr Amanda Haynes is a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Limerick and has been leading research into the area for a number of years.
She believes it’s important for Ireland to look at the successes and failures of other countries in their forms of hate crime legislation before committing pen to paper here.
A vigil for Aidan Moffit and Michael Snee will take place on the bridge in Killaloe on Sunday at 2.15pm, while a tribute walk will take place in Ennis’ Fairgreen on Monday from 5pm.
