Earnings at the UK-based healthcare group backed by well known Irish investors, JP McManus, Dermot Desmond and John Magnier last year increased by 6.6% to €196m.

Barchester Healthcare, one of Britain's biggest care home groups, is to be put up for sale in a deal that could net its owners north of £2.5bn (€2.82bn).

Bloodstock billionaire John Magnier is selling an Amedeo Modigliani nude estimated at $150m (€122.5m), the most for any work of art at auction this season, according to people familiar with the matter.