LONDON (AFX) - Eircom PLC, the former Irish state-owned telecommunications monopoly, has received a 2.36 bln eur (1.63 bln stg) takeover offer led by Australian financial services group Babcock & Brown Capital Ltd, the Financial Times reported.
The paper said Babcock & Brown, which already holds a 28.8 pct stake, is working with Eircom's employee share ownership trust that controls a further 21.8 pct, giving the combined team 50.6 pct.
The paper said the joint offer is thought to have been pitched at 2.2 eur per share, 6 cents above Thursday's close.
Babcock & Brown first confirmed a preliminary approach in February.
Eircom returned to the London and Irish stock markets in March 2004 when it floated at 1.55 eur per share.
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