Taoiseach warns Ireland will be hit by US downturn

IRELAND will not escape the effects of the US economic downturn, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admitted yesterday.

Many analysts believe the US is already in recession, after data released last week showed 63,000 American jobs were lost in February, the worst fall in five years.

Live Register figures released here on Friday showed the number of people signing on the dole increased by 8,500 to 187,900 in February — the worst unemployment levels since 1999.