Gardai will begin formally recording racial incidents and crimes using the PULSE computer system in a few months, the head of the force's Racial and Intercultural Office has said.
Chief Supt Patrick Cregg said this "fool-proof" PULSE computer system of recording racially motivated incidents and crimes would allow gardaí to identify and analyse patterns in such behaviour.
A racial incident has been defined by gardaí as one which is perceived to be racially motivated by the victim, a member of the Garda, a witness or someone acting on behalf of the victim.
"We are recording them already but they can be better identified and analysed when we have a more formal fool-proof way of putting them on the record," he said.
"When we have that we will be able to determine what kind of incidents are happening and where.
"At the moment it is too early for analysis because the computer system isn't fully up and running."
Chief Supt Cregg was speaking in advance of the announcement yesterday, UN International Day Against Racism, of the appointment of liaison officers in all 26 Garda divisions to work with ethnic minorities.
