Bank of Ireland says tough conditions to persist

DUBLIN, July 3 (Reuters) - Bank of Ireland (BKIR.I) expects lower levels of business activity and a difficult period ahead, it said on Friday.

"We expect the very difficult market conditions to continue throughout this financial year," outgoing chairman Richard Burrows told the company's annual shareholders' meeting.

"(But) With the support of the Irish government, we are confident that we will emerge from this recession as a vibrant financial services company."

(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins; editing by Andras Gergely)