ISEQ down almost 2%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed down 51.22 points to 2,898.95 -51.22, a drop of 1.74%.

Among the fallers, CRH was down 66c to €15.48; DCC shed 38c to €21.86; Paddy Power slipped 25c to €31.65; Grafton Group fell 14c to €3.38; Kerry Group was down 10c to €27.40 and Ryanair shed 8c to €3.34.

On the risers' board, Elan Corp added 20c to €5.52 and FBD was up 6c to €7.50.

In the financial sector, AIB shed 2c to €0.22 and Irish Life & Permanent was down 1c to €0.16.