Vatican defrocks Irish priest who disrupted Olympic marathon

The Irish priest who disrupted the Olympic marathon in Athens last year has been officially defrocked by the Vatican.

Neil Horan, a native of Kerry who lives in London, sparked outrage last summer when he accosted the Brazilian athlete who was leading the Athens marathon.

He had previously run out in front of 200mph Formula One cars at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone to highlight his belief that the second coming of Jesus is nigh.

Pope John Paul II has now removed all Horan's church titles, rights and offices connected to being a priest.