Construction firm McInerney Holdings plc has today announced the appointment of Desmond O’Connor as managing director for McInerney Spain.

The murky financial dealings of former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey have long fuelled the political rumour mill and led to the setting up of two state tribunals.

Thirty-nine horses remain in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after the latest forfeit stage.

Jefferson Smurfit Group and Kappa Packaging have announced a proposal to merge.

IRISH broadcaster Terry Wogan said yesterday he was “surprised and delighted” to be awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.

Brian O’Mahony, Chief Business Correspondent

Brian O'Mahony, Chief Business Correspondent

JEFFERSON Smurfit Group, which has announced it has engaged in merger talks with rival packaging group, Kappa Packaging, yesterday reported a fall of 11% in first quarter pre-tax profits.

Jefferson Smurfit Group today announced that it has completed the sale of its Munksjo Specialty paper business to The EQT III Fund for approximately €450m.

A record prize fund of €3.3million – up €145,000 on last year – will be on offer at the Smurfit European Open at The K Club this summer.

A record prize fund of €3.336,288 – up €145,000 on last year – will be on offer at the Smurfit European Open at The K Club in Ireland this summer.

Jefferson Smurfit Group today announced it has signed an agreement to sell its Munksjö specialty paper business to the EQT III Fund for approximately €450m.

CVC and Nordic Capital are to make a bid for Jefferson Smurfit Group’s Scandinavian paper and packaging business, sources said.

SUCCESSFUL businesses of the future will fully understand that corporate social responsibility is more than a PR investment on behalf of a company.

Packaging company Jefferson Smurfit Group plans a €300 million securitisation using trade receivables in September, a source close to the deal said yesterday.

Aer Rianta will be split up into three separate companies, under legislation published today by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.

THE proposed break-up of Aer Rianta into three separate airports went a step further yesterday with the appointment of the board members for the Dublin Airport Authority.

Former chief executive of the Jefferson Smurfit Group Gary McGann has been appointed chief executive designate of the new Dublin Airport Authority.

A former chief executive of the British Airports Authority (BAA), Mike Hodgkinson, is expected to be announced as a director of the newly formed Dublin airport company this week.

PRE-TAX profits at Jefferson Smurfit Group fell by 95% last year to just €12m, compared to €23.8m in 2002.

Anglo Irish Bank has appointed Mr Gary McGann and Mr Tom Browne to the board of the company's directors.

AS many as five companies may float on the Irish Stock market in 2004, chief executive Tom Healy is predicting.

The Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan TD has announced the appointments of the Chairpersons of the independent and autonomous State-owned airport authorities for Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

IRISH EXAMINER parent company Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd yesterday completed the acquisition of The Irish Post from Jefferson Smurfit Group in a deal worth €2.42m.

Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd, Ireland's fastest growing media group, has today completed its acquisition of The Irish Post from Jefferson Smurfit Group in a deal worth €2.42m.

IN the heady days of the late 1990s when Irish art was new to the international market it seemed as if you could sell anything once it was from an Irish artist. It is not like that now.

By Conor Keane, Business Correspondent

Thomas Crosbie Holdings Limited, Ireland's fastest growing media group, has today acquired The Irish Post from Jefferson Smurfit Group in a deal worth £1.7m (€2.66m).

DR Michael Smurfit is to resign as chairman of Smurfit Stone on May 8, the day of the group’s annual general meeting.

Paintings from one of Ireland’s most prestigious art collections are to be sold in London.

THE ISEQ index mirrored falls in the London market

THE ISEQ index followed the continuing global trend slipping 42.75 points lower to 4348.6.

THE Irish market fell 84.53 points lower yesterday to 4343.33 as world equity markets continued to fall.

Irish packaging company Jefferson Smurfit Group has developed a web-based extranet for its customers to re-order products and access their account information.

The Jefferson Smurfit Group is confirming that an approach has been made by an American company with a view to a takeover.

The Jefferson Smurfit Group is confirming that is has received an approach from a third party, amid increasing speculation that it may be bought out.