Traveller organisations said Travellers had been "vilified, demonised and condemned" in the wake of the recent Nally/Ward case.
Padraig Nally (61) was sentenced to six years in prison earlier this month for the manslaughter of John Ward, a 43-year-old Traveller and father of 11.
The Irish Traveller Movement, Pavee Point Travellers Centre and the National Traveller Women's Forum said there was a need to highlight the serious negative impact that the case has had on the Traveller community.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin this morning, Margaret O'Leary, co-ordinator of the Primary Health Care Project in the Southside Traveller Group, said: "Travellers and Traveller Organisations believe that sections of the media have tried to justify John Ward's death because he was a Traveller."
Martin Collins, assistant director of Pavee Point, said the past few weeks had been "very tough" for Travellers as they had been "vilified by some sections of the media and by some politicians".
He dismissed as "misinformation" allegations that Traveller organisations had not condemned or challenged anti-social and criminal behaviour.
"On the contrary, Traveller organisations have consistently taken a very strong stance against anti-social and criminal behaviour and will continue to do so. We have publicly condemned acts of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour," he said.
"Criminal behaviour is not unique to Travellers. It permeates society," he added.
Mr Collins called for the Government to urgently review the Incitement to Hatred Act. He also said he was disappointed with politicians who had "remained silent" on the issue.
"It is now time for the Government to show real political leadership and meet their commitments in relation to the Traveller community," he said.
Aisling Reidy, director of the Irish Council of Civic Liberties, expressed concern that some politicians were willing to use the criminal law process to target communities instead of anti-social behaviour.