DUBLIN REPORT: Iseq: 3,385.67 (+15.58) Settlement date: September 25thTHE IRISH market made only a marginal gain yesterday following what dealers described as a mixed day's business.

Trade in leading stocks was strong early in the day, but dealers said it slipped as US markets were weak when they came on stream yesterday afternoon.

Building materials group CRH, which accounts for about one third of the Iseq index, lost ground for the second day running this week, shedding 2.11 per cent or 42.2 cent to close at €19.628.

The banks were once again the focus of investor attention. Dealers said that large numbers of shares changed hands, particularly early in the day.

Bank of Ireland was up more than 4 per cent in morning trade, but ended the day 0.62 per cent off at €3.051.

Its biggest rival, AIB, fared worse. The bank gained close to 1.5 per cent in the morning, but shed 2.82 per cent at €3.10.

More than 3.8 million shares changed hands in both banks in the course of trade in Dublin yesterday.

Mortgage and personal banking specialist Irish Life Permanent outstripped both and closed 9.62 per cent up at €5.70, one of the strongest performances of the day. The bank has been selling its message to investors through a roadshow.

Low-cost airline Ryanair, which is holding its annual general meeting later this week, also put in a strong performance, adding 3.97 per cent to close at €3.535.

In percentage gain terms, yesterday’s star was exploration company Petroceltic, which announced strong flows of natural gas from one of its Algerian licences. The company’s stock added 12.5 per cent to end the day at 22.5 cent.

Drinks group CC showed signs of steadying, falling just 0.66 per cent, or 2 cent, to close at €3.01.