ISEQ down almost 1.5%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed down 43.29 points to 2,900.25, a drop of 1.47% reflecting a downward trend in global markets fuelled by further fears over the EU debt crisis.

Poor US jobs data, sharp falls in Italian share values and further News International revelations also contributed to the sell-off mood.

Among the fallers, Grafton Gropu was down 24c to €2.18; Greencore shed 5c to €0.96; Kerry Group was down 82c to €28.48; CRH slipped 35c to €13.90; C&C was down 6c to €3.55; Smurfit Kappa declined 14c to €8.25 and Independent News & Media shed 4c to €0.43.

Bank of Ireland was down 2c to €0.10 after shareholders approved a €1.9bn rights issue.

On the risers' board, Elan Corp added 36c to €8.58, Tullow Oil climbed 10c to €14.80 and Aryzta was up 5c to €37.20.