China

CRH PLC
17 October 2006

  N      E      W      S           R      E      L      E      A      S      E



                                                               17th October 2006





         CRH SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT FOR ACQUISITION OF EQUITY STAKE IN

                            CHINESE CEMENT PRODUCER





CRH plc, the international building materials group, announces the signing of a
Letter of Intent to acquire an equity interest in the cement operations of the
Jilin Yatai Group.  These operations (Yatai Cement) comprise 4 integrated cement
plants and one grinding station, with total cement capacity of approximately 9
million tonnes per annum, located in the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang in
northeast China. The Jilin Yatai Group is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
and Yatai Cement is one of the ten largest cement groups in China.



The Letter of Intent provides for the initial purchase by CRH of a 26% equity
stake in Yatai Cement with an option to acquire further shares after 3 years up
to a maximum of 49%. Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to
detailed negotiation and due diligence, and to Chinese government approval.
Additional information will be provided in due course.



In a comment, Liam O'Mahony, CRH Chief Executive, said 'CRH's proposed equity
stake in Yatai Cement when combined with the agreement to acquire the Harbin
Sanling Cement Company in Heilongjiang province (announced on 10 October)
provides an excellent opportunity for CRH to develop a strong position over time
in what we believe are attractive markets in northeast China with good long-term
growth prospects'.








Contact CRH at Dublin 404 1000 ([phone])
Liam O'Mahony, Chief Executive
Myles Lee, Finance Director







       CRH plc, Belgard Castle , Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland TELEPHONE
                       +353.1.4041000 FAX [phone]

E-MAIL [e-mail] WEBSITE www.crh.com Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam Square,
                             Dublin 2, Ireland



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