Heavy trading in property group Dunloe Ewart was one of the few features of a dull day on the Dublin market where stocks followed the downward trend on international markets.

Almost five million Dunloe Ewart shares traded, but on this occasion it is understood that Zoe Developments owner Mr Liam Carroll was not involved. The five million shares are equivalent to 1.25 per cent of Dunloe's equity and there was some speculation in the market that Mr Phil Monahan may have been the seller. Dunloe was two cents firmer on €0.45.

The other highlight was further strong gains by Kingspan after its big American acquisition. The shares hit a new trading high of €3.90 before closing 15 cents higher on €3.80 on turnover of just under a million shares.

Leading financial and industrial shares were weaker with CRH being hit by more profit-taking and falling 21 cents to €18.34. AIB lost seven cents to €12.83, while Bank of Ireland was 19 cents lower on €9.52.

Lack of news left Eircom eight cents lower on €2.81. Glanbia fell as dramatically as it rose on Wednesday, losing 11 cents to €0.45.

Stocks connected to Dr Tony O'Reilly had mixed fortunes with Independent down 17 cents on €2.80 on volume of 1.2 million shares, while Waterford Wedgwood shook off fears of lower US retail sales and gained four cents to €1.21 on turnover of 2.1 million shares.

Barlo was unchanged on €0.96 as it disclosed that it either owns or has acceptances over 62 per cent of Athlone Extrusions.