ISEQ down 2.89%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares fell a further 2.89% today, closing down 195.28 points to 6565.43.

Banking stocks took heavy hits again: AIB was down 71c to €15.27 while Anglo Irish Bank fell 37c to €9.45. Bank of Ireland dropped 39c to €9.75. Irish Life and Permanent fell 54c to €10.41.

Ryanair fell almost 12c to €3.72. The airline learned today that it is facing legal action from French President Nicolas Sarkozy for using a picture of him and girlfriend Carla Bruni in an advert.

Rival Aer Lingus fell 7c to €2.33 today.

Builder Abbey and building materials group CRH provided a rare glimpse of light for the construction sector today, each recording gains against an overall negative background on the markets. Abbey rose 31c to close at €6.11, while CRH saw a more modest 5c rise to €25.65.