Irish Continental sees increase in revenues

Irish Ferries operator Irish Continental has reported a €3m increase in revenues for the six months ended June 30, from €163.2m in the period last year to €166.1m.

Operating profit before non-trading charge was €17.3m compared with €16.4m in 2007. There was a profit before tax of €17.5m compared with a loss of €1m in the first half of 2007.

Chairman John B. McGuckian said: "This is a robust operating result, with profit before interest of €17.3 million in the first half of 2008 despite substantially higher fuel costs and a challenging economic backdrop".

During the period, the MV Normandy was sold, at a profit of €3.8mand was replaced by the €51m MV Oscar Wilde, acquired in 2007.