The Irish Stock Exchange tracked its international counter parts into negative territory today, but a strong performance from the banks helped offset the fall.
The Iseq index of Irish shares was 1.27 per cent down at 2,271.78 ahead of the close.
In London, the benchmark FTSE-100 index was down 63.02 at 3930.52, a fall of 1.6 per cent.
In Europe, the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 index, which tracks leading stocks in 18 markets, lost 0.8 per cent to 183.46 today.
Germany's DAX dropped 0.6 per cent and France's CAC 40 fell 0.9 per cent.
In Dublin, dealers said that Irish shares largely followed their European peers, with the exception of the banks, which continued to benefit from the fact that investors no longer expect them to be privatised as the Government is attempting to take toxic loans off their books.
AIB traded as high as €1.35 during the day, before coming off that to touch €1.28 ahead of the close.
Bank of Ireland had buyers at €1.02 before ending the day closer to 96 cent.
Elsewhere, CRH was weaker than in previous days and closed 1.54 per cent down at €16.
Dealers said the move was on the back of general sentiment towards the sector.
