Acquisition

CRH PLC
30 December 2005


                            N E W S   R E L E A S E

                                                              30th December 2005


                             CRH ACQUIRES 26.3% OF
                         MAJOR SPANISH CEMENT PRODUCER


CRH plc, the international building materials group, announces that it has
acquired a 26.3% equity stake in Corporacion Uniland S.A. (Uniland), a major
Spanish manufacturer of cement, readymixed concrete, mortar and aggregates with
additional cement and readymixed concrete interests in Tunisia, Argentina and
Uruguay, for a consideration of approximately euro 300 million.

In Spain, Uniland operates two integrated cement plants in Catalonia, where it
is market leader, with total annual cement production capacity of 3.2 million
tonnes. It also has extensive readymixed concrete, mortar and aggregates
operations in the region. In Tunisia, Uniland is the majority owner (88%) of a
modern 2 million ton capacity cement plant and is also active in readymixed
concrete. Through a 50/50 joint venture with Cementos Molins of Spain, Uniland
has strong positions in cement and readymixed concrete in both Argentina and
Uruguay .

In 2004, Uniland produced approximately 5.5 million tonnes of cement, 2 million
cubic metres of readymixed concrete and 2 million tonnes of mortar across its
operations. Uniland reported consolidated sales of euro 423 million in 2004 and
profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of euro 143
million. Operating profit (EBIT) for 2004 amounted to euro 111 million. (Note
all figures include proportionate 50% share of South American operations).

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Beton Catalan S.A., CRH has had operations
in Spain since 1987. Beton Catalan is a significant readymixed concrete and
concrete products manufacturer in the Catalonia region and in addition has
strong positions in readymixed concrete in Madrid and in a number of other
regional Spanish markets.  With its 49% investment in Secil, a leading
Portuguese manufacturer of cement, readymixed concrete and aggregates, completed
in June 2004, CRH already participates in the Tunisian cement market. CRH is
also a leading producer of clay roof tiles and floor and wall tiles in 
Argentina.

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

'CRH is delighted with this investment in Uniland, a company with which our
existing Spanish operation has had a long business relationship. We look forward
to working constructively with the company into the future.'



Contact CRH at Dublin 404 1000 ([phone])

Liam O'Mahony             Chief Executive
Myles Lee                 Finance Director
Eimar O'Flynn             Head of Investor Relations
Maeve Carton              Group Controller




       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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