Deadline passed for Eircom bids

The deadline for the final bids in the Eircom takeover battle has expired.

Offers are expected to have been made by Tony O'Reilly's Valentia consortium and Denis O'Brien's eIsland group.

It is understood that the Valentia bid still has the support of ESOT, Eircom's staff ownership trust.

The Eircom board is to meet later this evening to consider the latest bids.