Heineken, owner of Cork-based Murphy Brewery, has reported a 25 per cent increase in operating profit to €513 million (£404 million) for the six months to the end of June. Turnover increased by 14 per cent to €4.45 billion during the period. The group does not break out figures for its Irish operation which brews Heineken lager and Murphy's Irish Stout. It claims to have a 17.6 per cent share of the Irish beer market, currently valued at £2.25 billion. The company also claims that Heineken is the leading lager in Ireland, with 32 per cent of the market. The group has announced earnings per share of 64 cents and a interim dividend of 16 cents. Heineken added that it could not make a profit forecast for the rest of the year because of "the dramatic tragedy that occurred yesterday in the United States".