Irish shares tapped a surprise early new year buying wave that sent the Iseq Overall index climbing 3%, reflecting huge gains for Bank of Ireland and housebuilder Glenveagh at the end of a week marked by global stock market tremors.

European shares played catch-up with the US by falling for a second day, suggesting the global rout for stock markets is far from over.

Sterling stumbled yesterday as UK transport minister Jo Johnson resigned, saying he wants a new Brexit referendum, and the DUP clashed with prime minister Theresa May over potential plans for the Border.

A slide in Wall Street, involving fears over interest rates and reported Chinese cooling over US bonds, sent tremors around the world that an almost nine-year bull market in stocks was at an end.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point but left its rate outlook for the coming years unchanged even as policymakers projected a short-term acceleration in US economic growth.

Sterling went on a roller-coaster yesterday falling back sharply as high hopes for a Brexit deal were dashed, while US and European shares surged following the US Senate weekend vote to approve president Donald Trump’s tax-cutting bill.

The FBI’s latest intervention and opinion polls on the eve of the US election favouring Hillary Clinton have soothed jitters of financial markets which deeply fear the unknown quantity of a Donald Trump presidency, and sent world stock markets soaring.

FORMER tánaiste George Colley was prescribed Valium to help him relax during chauffeured car journeys while minister for finance.

Former Tánaiste George Colley was prescribed Valium to help him relax during car journeys while minister for finance, newly released State files reveal today.

MARKO PANTELIC missed a glorious late chance to send Serbia into the World Cup second round last night.

Eddie Ahern brushed off a dangerous skid on the icy roads around Lingfield to arrive in time for victory in the betdaq.co.uk Conditions Stakes today.

BEFORE Joe Kennedy went to Hollywood for his short-lived affair with the movies in 1926, he was well off.

AaB defender Michael Beauchamp has had his red card rescinded after he was incorrectly sent-off during the Champions League draw against Celtic on Wednesday night.

STEPHEN MCMANUS conceded Celtic “have it all to do” to qualify for the Champions League knockout phases for a third straight season after blowing their chance to get off to a winning start last night.

Celtic 0 Aalborg 0

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan ended days of speculation when he named his side for the Champions League Group E opener against Aalborg at Parkhead.

TIM CAHILL scored twice in the last six minutes and John Aloisi added a third in injury time as Australia made a winning return to the World Cup finals with a dramatic victory over Japan.