The global view: a drinking free-for-all

IT’S a day to celebrate our Irishness, but across the world St Patrick’s Day is portrayed as a day of alcohol-fuelled fights, vandalism and abusive behaviour.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia's largest newspaper, in a story titled 'Violence Mars St Patrick's Day' said the event was increasingly becoming an excuse for heavy drinking.

"The day used to be a quiet, religious-focused holiday in the Republic of Ireland, where pubs stayed closed for the day and parades were low-key affairs," the newspaper said.