Businessman Denis O'Brien has purchased additional Independent News & Media shares bringing his stake in the company to over 18 per cent.
In a statement today Mr O'Brien says he holds 142,670,235 ordinary shares of €0.30 which represents 18.0545 per cent.
Mr O'Brien has been steadily adding to his stake in recent months and is now the second biggest shareholder in the media group, behind its chief executive Dr Tony O'Reilly.
He has been building up his holding in recent months and is the second biggest shareholder in the newspaper group.