February: examiner appointed to Bell Lines. Company owes in excess of Pounds 20 million.

February 17th: examiner tells High Court trading had been stabilised and was receiving continued support of major customers and suppliers.

April 25th: SIPTU expresses "grave concern" at job loss plans. Around one third of the 636 jobs, including 70 in Ireland, are to go.

April 28th: restructuring plan circulated. Shareholders, led by Irish Continental Group, expected to inject up to Pounds 5 million. Secured creditors owed around Pounds 6 million face no write-offs, but unsecured creditors, owed Pounds 25 million, to receive 20p-4Op in pound.

May 15th: Waterford Port warns it could be rendered insolvent and threatens legal action.

June 3rd: investors abandon rescue plan, just hours before High Court hearing to approve it.

June 11th: examiner tells court of other prospective investors.

June 23rd: examiner given further time to deal with new consortium.

June 30th: another extension until July 4th - granted.

July 2nd: Deal collapses.