THE Dublin market fell sharply yesterday moving close to its lowest level this year. In line with international markets, leading stocks all took a tumble, knocking almost 19 points off the ISEQ index of shares on the day.

Weak bond markets largely dictated the fortunes of the equity markets, sending shares in Dublin, London and New York lower.

In fairly thin trading, financial stocks lost ground. AIB ended the day down 4p to 343p while Bank of Ireland eased 2 1/2p to 432 1/2p. Irish Life, one of the most actively traded stocks in yesterday's session, lost 3p to 245p while Irish Permanent managed to hold on to its level at 398p.

Leading industrials were also affected, with CRH closing down 9p at 506p. Smurfit fared somewhat better, shedding just a penny to 146p.

News of a 22 per cent rise in profits at Clondalkin to £18.3 million was well received in the market. Coming broadly in line with expectations, its share price managed to buck the downward trend, putting on 15p to 375p, its highest level since 1991.

Exploration group, Arcon International also posted results showing a sharp rise in its pre-tax losses from £284,000 to £475,000 in the year to the end of August last. The latest figures however failed to make much impact on its share price with Arcon closing down 1/2p at 28 1/2p.

In other company news, the Irish Stock Exchange announced the listing of the new exploration company Ormonde Mining to the Exploration Securities Market.

Irish gilts continued to slide, with dealers now predicting further weakness over the next few days.

Following the depressed international bond markets, the Government, five-year benchmark 8 per cent bond due in the year 2000 shed 40p to £103.60 to yield 6.93 per cent.

The 10-year benchmark bond also fell, closing down 63p to £101 to yield 7.7 per cent.