Irish shares rally on Johnson's defeats; ratings firm warns no-deal could spark return of violence in Ireland

The Brexit gloom lifted helping boost the shares of Irish banks and property firms, as well as the owner of Paddy Power, as investors bet the risk of a crash-out Brexit had receded for the time being.

Analysts said the defection of Tory MPs that led to the huge vote defeats of Boris Johnson in the Commons on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely stop Mr Johnson pursuing his threat to take Britain out of the EU without a deal at the end of next month.