ISEQ slumps to a close

The ISEQ index of Irish shares slumped to a close this evening dropping 123.72 points to 6853.41.

The financials all fell heavily, with Allied Irish Banks the biggest loser falling 34c to €15.15. Irish Life and Permanent was down 33c to €11.47 with Anglo Irish Bank close behind, dropping 32c to €10.05.

Bank of Ireland didn't perform quite as badly but remained in negative territory, down 10c to €10.25.

The biggest loss of the day came for Irish Continental Group, plummeting 70c to €21.10. Within the food sector Kerry Group fell 40c to €21.70 with IAWS down 25c to €15.15.

Elsewhere, bookmakers Paddy Powers ended the day with a loss of 41c to €21.57.