US computer networking company 3Com, which employs more than 500 people at its European headquarters in Dublin, has reported after tax profits of $ 178 million (£113 million) for the year to the end of May. 3Com sales were a record $2.3 billion, a 46 per cent increase from last year. Sales for the fourth quarter were a record $660 million, producing a 37 per cent increase in after tax profits to $82.5 million.