Cork and Limerick cancel Patrick's Day parades

Cork City's St Patrick's Day parade was cancelled today due to fears of spreading foot and mouth disease.

The organisers of the parade, Cork Junior Chamber of Commerce and Cork Business Association held a crisis meeting today and notice of official cancellation of the parade is expected later this evening.

Limerick followed suit this morning and cancelled their annual parade.

It remains to be seen whether Dublin, with the biggest parade in the country, will follow suit.