Banks hit as Irish shares fall 2%

IRISH shares lost more ground yesterday, falling just over 2%, with CRH, airlines and banks hit.

CRH tumbled the most in more than a year after first-half earnings and sales fell more than previously forecast. It shed 6% of its value yesterday, closing at €16.07.

July has been a turbulent month for Irish shares. At the start of the month they plunged to their lowest level in more than a year.