The owner of the Examiner newspaper has instituted High Court proceedings over an alleged agreement for the purchase of the Kingdom newspaper in Co Kerry.

Cork-based Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd (TCH) claims an agreement was made on May 19th last under which it would purchase the shares and the title of the newspaper.

An application by TCH for injunctions against Ms Anne Lundon and Ms Susan O'Keeffe was mentioned briefly before Mr Justice O'Sullivan yesterday. Undertakings were given on behalf of the defendants and the case was adjourned until June 14th next.

Mr Maurice Collins, for TCH, said counsel for the defendants were prepared to give certain undertakings to the court.

On that basis, if the court was agreeable, the case could be adjourned until June 14th next, for hearing if necessary. It may not trouble the court on that date, Mr Collins said.

Mr David Barniville, for the defendants, said he was in a position to give the undertakings, without prejudice.

Under the terms of the undertakings, the defendants are not to sell, dispose of or attempt to deal with their shares in Kingdom Publications Ltd and Kingdom Newspapers Ltd and the title, the Kingdom, except in accordance with the terms and conditions of an agreement of May 19th last.

They also undertook not to enter into discussions or negotiations with any third party in relation to the sale or potential sale of shares held by them in Kingdom Publications, Kingdom Newspapers and the title, the Kingdom, pending the determination of the proceedings.