A new report has revealed that people of African descent and Brazilians in Ireland face widespread racial profiling and discriminatory policing, leading to a deep lack of trust in An Garda Síochána.
The study, conducted by the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) and commissioned by the Policing Authority, documents disturbing accounts of wrongful arrests, aggressive stop-and-search practices, and other incidents that have had long-lasting impacts on the affected communities.
The report, titled Policing and Racial Discrimination in Ireland: A Community and Rights Perspective, highlights the experiences of ethnic minorities with law enforcement and finds that 83% of surveyed individuals fear being racially profiled.
Among those surveyed, 31%—predominantly those of African descent—stated they felt Gardaí assumed that Black individuals could not be Irish. Additionally, over 80% reported being treated differently compared to the white, settled Irish population.
Several individuals provided testimonies of traumatic encounters with Gardaí, including instances of wrongful arrests, property damage, and distressing stop-and-search incidents.
Some reported being subjected to invasive strip searches without clear justification. Others described being stopped multiple times without cause, reinforcing a perception that racial and ethnic minorities are unfairly targeted by law enforcement.
The study also notes the long-term effects of these interactions, including psychological distress, loss of employment opportunities, disruptions to education, and strain on family life. Many participants expressed feeling unsafe and unprotected, citing a belief that Gardaí do not treat them as equal citizens under the law.
In response to these findings, INAR and human rights groups are calling for urgent reforms within An Garda Síochána to address racial discrimination in policing.
