McDonald's Irish operation saw its profits rise marginally last year as the fast food giant bucked the economic downturn.

According to accounts just filed for McDonald's Restaurants of Ireland Limited (MRIL), the company increased earnings here to €11.3m from €11.1m a year earlier.

The growth came despite an almost 10pc decline in sales to €77.9m during the period.

MRIL runs the 12 McDonalds restaurants in Ireland that are directly owned by the fast food giant. Another 70 outlets are run here as franchises. They are not included in the accounts.

Company managing director Adrian Crean said the results reflected a "very strong performance" during 2011.