Acquisition

CRH PLC
16 April 2007

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                                                                   April 16 2007


                 CRH ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY AND THE US

CRH plc, the international building materials group, announces two transactions,
one in Turkey and one in the United States, completed for a total cash
consideration, including debt assumed, of US$293 million (euro 225 million).

In Turkey, CRH has acquired 50% of Denizli Cement, an integrated cement and
readymixed concrete business, from Eren Holdings, a privately-owned industrial
group.  Under the terms of the joint venture agreement with Eren Holdings, CRH
will have joint management control of the business, which is based in the city
of Denizli in the Aegean region of south-western Turkey. Denizli has a modern
cement facility with a clinker capacity of 1.8 million tonnes and is the market
leader in its region.  The company has limestone reserves of more than 100
million tonnes and produced 1.8 million tonnes of cement in 2006. Denizli also
operates a network of 13 readymixed concrete plants in Denizli and the
surrounding area, which produced 1.3 million cubic metres of concrete in 2006.

In Florida, CRH has exercised its option to buy out the remaining 50% stake in
Paver Systems, LLC.  CRH acquired an initial 50% of Paver Systems in January
2004 and has fully consolidated its results since then, deducting a 50% minority
interest in arriving at Group profit after tax and earnings per share. Paver
Systems is a leading manufacturer of interlocking concrete pavers and, with
three facilities in West Palm Beach, Tampa and Orlando, the company is
well-positioned to benefit from the continuing strong professional hardscapes
market in Florida.

Combined 2006 results on a 100% basis for Denizli and Paver Systems amounted to
US$223 million in sales and US$79 million in profit before interest, tax,
depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

Commenting on the transactions, CRH Chief Executive Liam O'Mahony said:  'Over
the past thirty years CRH has established leadership positions in three distinct
segments - materials, products and distribution - in Europe and the Americas.
This balanced portfolio of businesses has been the foundation for the Group's
exceptional long-term performance and growth record. The two transactions
announced today are important steps in the further development of our Europe
Materials and Americas Products activities. Denizli, a modern vertically
integrated cement and readymixed concrete business with excellent reserves and a
strong management team, is CRH's first investment in Turkey . It also represents
a further step in the expansion of Europe Materials presence in the
Mediterranean Basin. Since the initial 50% investment in Paver Systems in 2004,
this business has been an exceptionally strong performer for Americas Products
in the expanding Florida hardscapes market, and a key component of its overall
strategy for the southeastern United States. The buyout, as planned, of the
remaining 50% of Paver Systems further consolidates CRH's position in this
important market.'

Contact CRH at Dublin 404 1000 ([phone])
Liam O'Mahony, Chief Executive
Myles Lee, Finance Director
Eimear O'Flynn, Head of Investor Relations
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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