Acquisition

CRH PLC
03 June 2004

                       N  E  W  S     R  E  L  E  A  S  E


                                                                     3 June 2004


                         CRH ACQUIRES 49% OF PORTUGUESE

                       BUILDING MATERIALS PRODUCER SECIL


CRH plc, the international building materials group, is pleased to announce
that, following the decision by the European Commission on May 28 to clear the
transaction, it has concluded the purchase of a 49% stake in Secil, a major
Portuguese manufacturer of cement and readymixed concrete.

As previously announced, the investment is based on an agreed enterprise value
of €900 million for 100% of Secil. Following the payment of a dividend by Secil
to its former 100% shareholder Semapa, net debt at closing was €220 million. The
cash consideration for CRH's 49% share of Secil amounted to €333 million, on
which goodwill of €45 million arises. CRH and Semapa have also concluded an
agreement under which they will have joint management control of Secil.

Commenting on the completion of the transaction, Liam O'Mahony, Chief Executive
of CRH plc, said:

'With the acquisition of a 49% stake in this €900 million business, our Europe
Materials Division now has a leadership position in the attractive Portuguese
cement market, which has traditionally had high per capita consumption. This
significant investment also provides development opportunities in Tunisia, where
Secil is a prominent producer of cement, and in Lebanon where Secil has an
investment in an associated undertaking. The partnership between CRH and Semapa
will result in a strong combination of knowledge, experience and resources which
should facilitate the expansion of Secil's businesses across the industry supply
chain, particularly as the general economy in Portugal recovers and construction
activity increases.'




Contact CRH at Dublin 404 1000 ([phone])

Liam O'Mahony Chief Executive
Myles Lee Finance Director
Declan Doyle Managing Director, Europe Materials
Maeve Carton Group Controller


CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland TELEPHONE [phone]
                               FAX [phone]
   E-MAIL [e-mail] WEBSITE www.crh.com Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam
                           Square, Dublin 2, Ireland


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