IRISH share prices soared to new highs yesterday, sending the ISEQ to 2,245.01 as leading stocks forged ahead.

With investors largely staying away from the market ahead of any result in the General Election trading volumes were relatively low. CRH gained 6p on the day, rising to 6,789 while Smurfit gained 2p to close at 192p.

Among the financials, AIB put on 3p to 510p and Bank of Ireland went 2p better to 720p.

Going against the rising tide however, Irish Permanent stayed unchanged at 635p while Irish Life dropped a penny to close at 343p while Woodchester remained at 295p.

Ryanair was also weaker, closing at 331p down 6p on the day.

In the food sector, Avonmore continued to move ahead, gaining 22p to 282p, while Waterford Foods stayed unchanged at 295p. Kerry was also stable, holding at 655p, while Fyffes added 3p to close at 98p. Golden Vale went a penny better to 77p.

Irish bonds dropped in moderate selling, on the back of mixed US jobs data and various domestic worries. The 6.5 per cent bond, due in 2001, was down 25p at £101.45 to yield 6.10 per cent, while the 8 per cent bond, due in 2006, was down 25p at £108.55 to yield 6.71 per cent.