Royal Irish Regiment Uniform Patches

[DeBobster]

Hi All
I am looking for help to identify these patches please.
The soldier was in the Royal Irish Regiment and the photograph was taken after he returned to Ireland from France in 1918.
The white and blue rectangle could be signaller or battle patch, it is not a divisional patch
There appears to be a number 8 below this, which could be the 8th Battalion of the Regiment but if so this is the first time I have seen a battalion number on a Royal Irish Regiment uniform.
Picture isnt great, was taken through glass frame and wasnt allowed to take it out.
I know his name and number but records non existent on any of the usual pay sites.
Cheers