Roche, Tom (1916–1999)

Irish industrialist; the founding figure behind Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH), the Republic of Ireland's largest industrial group. Born in Dublin, Roche purchased a small coal and sand business for IR£800 in the early 1940s, and in 1944 established a gravel concern, Castle Sand Company. In 1949 the company floated on the stockmarket as Roadstone. In 1970 Roadstone took over the Cement Group to form CRH, the most significant acquisition of its time in the Republic; Roche served as chairman until 1974. CRH has grown to become one of Ireland's major companies, quoted on the Dublin and London stockmarkets, and operating a building materials business in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Roche was also involved in establishing the Bula lead and zinc mine near Navan in County Meath. The owners later got involved in a complex legal battle with the state and with neighbouring Tara Mines. Roche also established National Toll Roads, a company which built and now operates the Republic's first two toll bridges, east and west of Dublin.