Most of the Esat Telecom share register is made up of nominee holdings which hide the beneficial ownership of most of the shares. While the amounts which will be received by the Esat directors has been well publicised, some other employees and private shareholders also stand to benefit.

One shareholder, Mr David Connell of Killiney is to benefit from the takeover to the tune of $2.27 million (£1.75 million).

Smaller windfalls are in store for Ms Fiona Dunphy whose address is c/o Esat's head office, Ms Nicola Fox of Rosslare, Ms Sarah O'Donnell of Monkstown and Mr Shane Hall of Marino, all of whom will get $33,300 (£25,600) while Mr Jonathan Hyland of Tallaght stands to receive $40,000 (£31,000). Bigger gains are in store for Ms Michele Murphy of Ballymore Eustace who will receive $80,000 (£62,000).

Ms Bernadette Mulcahy of Blackrock and Mr James Whelan of Milltown in Dublin also stand to receive $40,000 (£31,000) while Mr St John O'Gara of Clontarf is one of the bigger private shareholders in Esat and can expect to receive a $975,200 (£770,000) cheque when the British Telecom offer closes.