A deadline set by the independent directors of ferries group Irish Continental Group (ICG) governing final bids for the company has been extended until Monday.
ICG today said the directors "are now of the view that it would be in the best interests of shareholders to extend yesterday's deadline to 5pm on Monday, July 30th."
The five-month saga involves Aella, a buyout group led by ICG chief executive Eamonn Rothwell, and Philip Lynch's Moonduster, which comprises One51 and the Doyle shipping group.
Aella has matched a €22 per share bid tabled by Moonduster valuing the firm, and its valuable 33-acre site in Dublin Port, at just over €560 million.
However, each has a blocking stake - Moonduster controls 20.38 per cent of ICG and Aella 17.19 per cent
The ICG directors said they believe neither bid can succeed without the support of the other party.