DESPITE the competing sporting attractions of rugby, GAA and cricket and variable weather conditions, several hundred thousand turned out in Dublin on Saturday to partake in the annual St Patrick’s Day festivities.

THE chief executive of the St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin yesterday said urgent action was needed to prevent the parade being marred by drunken disorder or a repeat of the violence surrounding the ‘Love Ulster’ parade nine days ago.

The St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin will be bigger and better than ever to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, organisers promised tonight.