'We're seeing a rise in racism'

Taoiseach insists hate crime bill is necessary

- LOUISE BURNE

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar yesterday said there is an "evident" rise in racism as he denied hate crime legislation is "wokeism".

The Fine Gael leader also condemned "protesting outside accommodation centres, people spreading conspiracy theories around replacement ideology".

Earlier this year, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he did not believe there had been a rise in the far-right in Ireland similar to the spikes that have been witnessed in other parts of Europe.

Asked if he agreed with these comments, Mr Varadkar explained: "I think what the Commissioner has said - I don't want to interpret his words was we haven't had the growth of the far right to the extent in other European countries.