O’Brien increases Independent stake

DENIS O’BRIEN said yesterday he had raised his stake in IN&M, the latest share grab by the telecoms billionaire in the newspaper group. He said he holds 142,670,235 ordinary shares —more than 18% of the company — up from more than 17% earlier this month.

Independent News chief executive Tony O’Reilly has also been increasing his shareholdings and holds more than a 26% stake in the group. Shares in Independent News were trading 2.6% lower at €2.29 by 12:23 GMT.