Irish Continental Group plc reported group earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 2014. For the quarter, revenue rose 10.3% to EUR 93.4 million. Core profits (EBITDA) rose to EUR 28.1 million, compared with EUR 26.9 million in the same quarter in 2013. Operating profit was EUR 23.8 million compared with EUR 22.3 million in the same quarter in 2013.

For the nine months, revenue was EUR 224.1 million compared to EUR 205.6 million a year ago, up 9.0%. EBITDA was EUR 42.1 million compared to EUR 42.7 million a year ago, reflecting the additional operational costs of the Epsilon which was introduced in late 2013. Operating profit was EUR 29.0 million compared with EUR 28.7 million in the same period in 2013. Net debt at the end of September was EUR 57.6 million compared with EUR 71.9 million at 30 June 2014.

In the 20 weeks from 1 July 2014 to 15 November 2014 total passengers carried increased by 8%, while cars carried increased by 11%. In the RoRo freight market, Irish Ferries volumes were up 26% in the four and a half months. Container freight volumes for the same period were down 4% at 105,000 teu, due to lower feeder traffic, while units lifted at ports were up 5% at 73,000 lifts.