A man in his 60s is recovering in hospital after an explosion at a storage facility in Waterford.

AFTER all the excitement of last Sunday’s game between Cork and Tipperary – and fair dues to both teams for that – I’m beginning to wonder if there is any game at all on this weekend in Munster?

IT’S SAID a team reflects the personality of its manager; this All-Ireland SHC qualifier offered diametrically opposing arguments on that particular hypothesis. On the one hand, offering proof positive was Galway.

At least seven A&E departments nationwide are unfit for their purpose, a major health service study revealed today.

ULSTER Bank hosted The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Bank of China (BOC) Joint Investment Forum at Dublin’s Westin Hotel yesterday.

UK gases giant BOC today said its £8.2bn (€12bn) takeover by German industrial conglomerate Linde was on course as it reported a “strong trading performance” in the first half.

The London market again tested highs not seen for nearly five years today as the FTSE 100 Index spent much of the day above the 5900 mark.

Gases giant BOC today became the latest historic manufacturer to fall into foreign hands after accepting an £8.2bn (€12bn) bid from German industrial conglomerate Linde.

Industrial gases group BOC today looked poised to become the latest heavyweight British firm to be taken into foreign ownership.

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back above the 5800 level today as it recovered more than half of yesterday's losses.

Sentiment in London remained fragile today with HBOS shares taking a beating because it failed to top expectations for annual profits like many of its rivals.

The FTSE 100 Index took another step towards the 6000 mark after a sharp rise in oil prices caused shares in Royal Dutch Shell and BP to jump ahead.

Rising oil and mining stocks kept the London market on the front foot today, despite the impact of a 2% fall for shares in mobile phone group Vodafone.

A flurry of takeover activity boosted optimism in London today as the FTSE 100 Index soared to levels not seen for more than four years.

Mining stocks led the FTSE 100 Index above the 5700 mark again today as it clawed back losses made earlier in the week.

Investors in the UK piled into banking and housebuilding stocks following optimistic comments from lender Northern Rock and developer Crest Nicholson today.

Shares in UK gases firm BOC soared by a fifth today after it announced a takeover approach from a German industrial giant.

Takeover activity helped lift the mood on the London market today as plasterboard maker BPB ditched its opposition to being bought by a French rival.

A strong run for the FTSE 100 Index came to an end today, despite the latest round of takeover speculation involving top-flight companies.

The London market paused for breath today at the end of a spectacular week of progress for the FTSE 100 Index.

A bid approach for Exel and positive results from drinks giant Diageo helped the FTSE 100 Index post strong gains for a third session in a row today.

The London market reached a new three-year high today as the soaring price of crude delighted investors in oil majors.

Oil giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell pushed the London market higher today after oil prices rose to a record high.

The FTSE 100 Index extended a recent rally today to start the second half of the year on a positive footing.

A negative response by oil majors to falling crude prices kept a lid on gains by top flight shares today.

The FTSE 100 Index was heading for its first positive finish this week after investors applauded figures from Royal & Sun Alliance.

Drinks firms helped lift spirits on the London market today as investors warmed to the prospect of a possible bidding war for Allied Domecq.

The London market was dragged back below the key 4900 barrier today as a fresh surge in oil prices triggered jitters among traders.

SEÁN O’REILLY was in generous mood last night as his work syndicate celebrated their €2.5 million Lotto win.

The FTSE 100 Index ended Tuesday above the 4900 barrier as takeover talk sent a buzz through the City.

Strong progress by mining stocks and a good session on Wall Street helped London shares build on their recent progress today.

Gases group BOC lifted first quarter profits by 13% today, but said its semiconductor arm continued to face challenging trading conditions.

Stronger mining stocks were the driving force for the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index finished well above the 4800 barrier.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed ahead today after the market benefited from a flurry of buying interest in the mining sector.

British Airways was the big loser on the London market today as the price of crude soared to new heights.

Hopes of an end to the London market’s week-long losing streak were wrecked today by a poor session for insurers and another oil price hike.

The London market managed to find upward momentum today despite terrorist threats, high oil prices and interest rate uncertainty.

British industrial gases group BOC today said it had won a new 15-year deal with steel giant Corus as it reported a 4.5% increase in quarterly operating profits to £134m (€202m).

Moves by Opec to take the steam off oil prices failed to provide the London market with a late lift into positive territory today.

London shares came under the cosh today from growing nervousness about interest rate rises in the world’s biggest economy.

Industrial gases group BOC today said a strong performance from its global gases operations had helped it post an 18.5% rise in half yearly operating profits to £273.8m (€408m).

London’s FTSE 100 Index held on to positive territory by a narrow margin today after giving back nearly all of the gains seen earlier in the session.

Leading shares ended the day sharply lower, after data showing a surprise contraction of the US manufacturing sector acted to wipe out the gains amongst technology and telecom issues that had earlier pushed the FTSE 100 index to three-month highs, dealers said.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone charged to its highest close for nearly six months today after half-year results beat expectations.