There was a glimmer of hope this week for Irish RAC members who may yet qualify for a financial windfall if the company is sold to the US group, Cendant.

The Irish contingent is among a group of RAC associate members, who failed to qualify for a portion of the proceeds of the shares, while some 12,000 full members were to receive £35,000 sterling each.

But British legal experts believe the High Court may reject the deal, which is due to come before the courts next month, on the grounds that it unfairly neglects the interests of associate members. Lawyers for the RAC are expected to argue that the terms of the sale should be honoured.