European stock markets closed sharply lower amid record highs for the euro and oil prices and a dismal consumer confidence survey in the euro zone.
In Europe, the London FTSE closed down 81 points (1.36%) at 5,884.
In Paris, the CAC 40 index lost 75 points (1.53%) to 4,791 points while in Frankfurt the DAX tumbled 114 points (1.67%) to 6,748.
Wall Street shares are also down, as inflation fears were stoked by record oil prices.
The Dow Jones has lost 216 points (1.71%) to 12,367, extending losses from the prior session, and the Nasdaq retreated 41 points (1.74%) to 2,291.
In Dublin, the ISEQ index closed down 104 points at 6,415.
Building materials group CRH was down €1.10 at €24.55 this afternoon, Kingspan was down 43 cent to €8.98, and Ryanair was down 15 cent to €3.15.
The banks were also lower, with Irish Life & Permanent down 34 cent to €10.78, and Bank of Ireland down 21 cent to €9.35.
Earlier in Tokyo, the Nikkei closed 322 points down (2.3%) to 13,603 following a slump on Wall Street last night. The Hang Seng was 260 points down at 24,332.
