Scrip dividend take up

CRH PLC
01 May 2003


CRH plc ('the Company')


1st May 2003


2002 FINAL DIVIDEND - SCRIP ALTERNATIVE

CRH plc announces that, under the Company's Scrip Dividend Scheme, 33.88% of its
Ordinary Shareholders elected to receive shares in lieu of cash in respect of
all or part of their Final Dividend for 2002 to be paid on 12th May 2003.

As a result, a total of 1,764,604 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 Monday, 12th May 2003.



Enquiries:

Contact

Angela Malone

Company Secretary

Tel: [phone]




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