Industrial explosives firm Kemek Ltd last year almost doubled its pre-tax profits to €2.76m, reflecting some improvement in the prospects of the construction industry.

Building materials group CRH has said that trading operations in Europe in the first four months of the year has been affected by severe weather conditions in February and by the ongoing impact on sentiment of volatility in Eurozone financial markets.

THE Irish market held steady yesterday, but failed to make any inroads into the heavy losses seen last Friday.