Issue of Equity

CRH PLC
28 October 2003


CRH plc ('the Company')


28th October 2003



2003 INTERIM DIVIDEND - SCRIP ALTERNATIVE

CRH plc announces that, under the Company's Scrip Dividend Scheme, 29.62% of its
Ordinary Shareholders elected to receive shares in lieu of cash in respect of
all or part of their Interim Dividend for 2003 to be paid on 7th November 2003.

As a result, a total of 306,121 Ordinary Shares of €0.32 each have been
allotted. An application will be made for admission of the New Shares to the
Official Lists of the Irish Stock Exchange and the U.K. Listing Authority and to
trading on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities. Dealing in
the New Shares is expected to commence on Friday, 7th November 2003.


Enquiries:

Contact

Angela Malone

Company Secretary

Tel: [phone]




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