A major garda operation is under way nationwide to prevent people taking part in protests, street or house parties this St Patrick's day.

President Michael D Higgins has called for this St Patrick's Day to be the beginning of a new journey for the people of Ireland as we emerge from "the destructive and debilitating" Covid-19 pandemic.

There have been 3,484 reports of suspected side effects relating to Covid-19 vaccines here, according to latest figures from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will have a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden today as part of the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.

The European Medicines Agency has said it will issue further advice on the Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow as it continues to evaluate the cases of blood clots in recipients of the jab.

It was on the eve of St Patrick's Day 2020, that the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson first announced new measures aimed at avoiding gatherings in crowded places, such as pubs, nightclubs and theatres.

It will be a virtual occasion, but the very best in Irish arts and culture will be celebrated today on a range of broadcast and online platforms.

Japan's failure to recognise same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a court ruled today, in a landmark first verdict on the issue that was welcomed with joy by campaigners.

A cellist based in the west of Ireland whose online videos of his open-air performances went viral during the pandemic is performing a special recital for St Patrick's Day.

As with so many other parts of the world this time of year, St Patrick's festivities would normally be well under way among the Irish community in London and across the UK.

The Department of Health has reported 18 further Covid-related deaths and 349 new cases.

Latest figures show that 1,842 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in 108 schools in the seven days from 7-13 March with 44 cases detected.

Gardaí in Donegal have seized 33kgs of cocaine, worth an estimated €2m.

Gardaí say they will have a significant policing operation in place to deal with planned protests in Dublin city tomorrow.

Despite hundreds of vacant posts in the health system and historically high waiting lists, many doctors from outside the EU feel forced to leave Ireland, reports Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

The High Court has reserved judgment in an application by convicted murderer Charlotte Mulhall for permission to bring a challenge aimed at securing a transfer from Limerick Prison back to the Dóchas Centre woman's prison in Dublin.

Former US first lady Michelle Obama has said it was not a "complete surprise" to hear Meghan Markle raise the topic of race in her bombshell interview.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that the response of the Taoiseach to her written request for a meeting, following confirmation of a garda investigation into the Tánaiste's leaking of a document, was high-handed and arrogant.

The EU's drug regulator has said it remained "firmly convinced" of the benefits of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine despite several countries suspending its use over blood clot fears.

A 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a woman in Dublin earlier this month.