A senior Garda said hate-related crimes were underreported and encouraged the public to report such incidents.

Detectives said they received a report on Friday of the incident in the Roden Street area of south Belfast.

Documents seen by Breakingnews from the Department of Justice show there was 269 emails to the Department on the proposed bill.

The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 will increase prison sentences for certain crimes motivated by hatred.

Police are appealing for information relating to a ‘racially motivated hate crime’ in the Roden Street area of south Belfast on Monday.

Police said an angle-grinder was used to cut a hole in shutters at the premises in Templemore Street before a fire was started.

The Taoiseach said Justice Minister Helen McEntee had ‘worked intensively’ on the issue and would be bringing forward amendments shortly.

A number of flags and banners were placed on the bonfire which was lit in Derry on Thursday night.

During violent scenes in south Belfast, petrol was poured over a police landrover and set alight.

The Harry Potter author has become an outspoken critic of the Scottish Government’s stance on trans rights.

Helen McEntee is coming under pressure to scrap the legislation over concerns about its impact on freedom of speech.