The ISEQ index of shares got off to a rocky start to the week as oil prices continue to soar across the Atlantic.
The Dublin market was down 48.64 to 6388.63 by noon today as crude oil prices rose to a new high of more than 59 US dollars a barrel.
The financials were worst hit. Anglo Irish Bank was down 18c to €9.70, Bank of Ireland dropped 15c to €12.80 while AIB fell back 13c to €17.37. Irish Life & Permanent was down 8c at €13.92.