Raised as a Catholic, John Hamill has since found a novel way to protest what he sees as privilege for the "carpenter-based religion", writes Caroline O'Doherty.

Prominent Atheist and member of the Congregationalist Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, John Hamill has failed in a discrimination action over not getting free Luas travel on the day of the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park last August.

Soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been forced to put St Patrick’s Day on hold because of duties on the frontline.