The Irish market hit a notable milestone in intra-day trading when the ISEQ broke through the 6,000 barrier as most of the leading shares notched up solid gains. Some later weakness brought the index back below that milestone figure but it still closed on a new closing high of 5,978.

There was heavy trading in the two big banks which swapped the number two and three positions throughout the day before Bank of Ireland ended up retaining its new-found primacy over AIB - albeit by just €27 million. AIB hit a high of €12.05 before weakening sharply towards the close and finished up just 10 cents on €11.86 in turnover of 4.6 million shares. Bank of Ireland was initially weaker, falling as low as €10.30 before closing three cents firmer on €10.53.

Industrials were generally firmer with CRH up 37 cents on €20.67 while Kerry jumped 34 cents to €14.02 as a company broker gave the stock a pre-results "buy" recommendation. Renewed Vodafone weakness left Eircom seven cents weaker on €2.43 while the gloomy prospect of heavy cutbacks in racing because of the foot-and-mouth scare in the UK left Power Leisure 28 cents lower on €3.12. Smurfit edged a cent higher to €2.01 but is finding it difficult to find any real buying interest but Kingspan remained well-bid and closed 12 cents higher on €4.75.

Technology shares had another dismal session after Motorola signalled it may be heading for a first-quarter loss. Baltimore led the downward charge with a 19-1/2p sterling fall to 246-1/2p while most other Irish technology stocks including Parthus, SmartForce and Iona were also sharply lower.