THE market opened weaker amid nervousness about inward investment in Ireland following the Canary Wharf bombing. There was some evidence of nervousness, particularly from some US investors, but there was no follow through during the day and some shares drifted upward in the afternoon.

Dealers said (as there had been no evidence of a sell out) investors are prepared to play a wait and see game. The market ended little changed on the day but this would have been helped by the jump in Elan Corp shares which have a significant influence on the market.

Goldman Sachs said it initiated coverage of Elan by adding the share to its recommended list. The shares reacted in the US by rising $2 1/4 to $60 (£38.10).

Ewart, the Belfast property company with the biggest exposure to the Northern Ireland market, did not trade in Dublin.

Dealers said that hotel shares could be vulnerable. Jurys first gained 1p to 221p and then fell to 218p, while Ryan Hotels dealt unchanged at 34p.

AIB, whose results are out today, started the day with a 6p fall to 345p. However, a less nervous afternoon pushed the shares up to 347p, with an overall fall of, 4p on the day. Dealers said they are expecting no surprises in today's results.

While predictions of a pre tax profit of £370 million for 1995 might be surpassed, it is unlikely to be by much, according to one dealer.

Bank of Ireland first eased 3p to 435p. It then recovered to 439p but ended up lower at 436p. CRH fell 5p to 495p.

Inishtech, which is expecting to see a modification in the terms of the 550p per share offer from parent Crean, fell 25p to 535p.

Crean put on 5p to 225p.