Celebrations put on hold for troops on Afghanistan frontline

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

But while they still plan to celebrate the day next week, there will be one obvious omission: a pint of Guinness. No alcohol is allowed for troops on tour.

Meanwhile, 524 members of the Defence Forces will be serving as part of peacekeeping missions in 14 countries from the Congo to Kosovo to Uganda.