"This is a bit of a relief bounce after a very weak yesterday, " said Brian Gallagher, strategist at Dolmen Stockbrokers.

WSJ: European Stocks Catch a Bounce

As the programme continued, the presenter, Pat Kenny, told the audience Sinn Fein could produce a man who had handed Mr Gallagher a 5, 000 euros donation after meeting the former Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

BBC: No charity from McGuinness in Gallagher donation row