RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny has agreed to out-of-court talks to resolve their ownership row with his neighbour over a disputed patch of scrubland.
After almost three days of hearings in the High Court, lawyers for the broadcaster and semi-retired solicitor Gerard Charlton said they were prepared to go into mediation.
The two parties, who live side by side on Harbour Road in the south Dublin suburb of Dalkey, accepted an offer for a weekend of negotiations. It is understood lawyers for the two immediately began talks in private.
Mr Kenny (60) left the court declining to comment on the potential for a settlement, saying simply: "Off to work".
The
Late Late Showpresenter and his wife Kathy, and Mr Charlton (73), and his wife Maeve, have been locked in a row over the ownership of Gorse Hill for several years. Mr Kenny claims squatter's rights over the 0.2 acres of land after years of failed attempts to buy it from his neighbours.
The dispute came to a head in July 2006 after the Kennys erected an electric gate blocking the Charltons access to the overgrown rocky outcrop.
Ms Justice Clark urged the couples to think carefully before being asked to give evidence about the row and offered them time to mediate.
An hour of talks today failed to secure a deal but the judge agreed to adjourn the hearing until Monday afternoon.
"It is not easy for people to come back from the brink when everybody is ready to go," she said. "And I wish the parties the best of luck."
Ms Justice Maureen Clark, who visited the disputed land yesterday, warned the opposing parties that what is said in court cannot be unsaid.
"You will continue to be neighbours at the end of the case. One of you will leave this court having lost entirely," she said. "You won't both win. You will continue to live where you have lived for many years as neighbours."
Retired solicitor Gerard Charlton claims there was a confrontation in July 2006 after Mr Kenny refused him a code to gain access to a gate to the property. He claims Mr Kenny jostled and barred him from entering the property while Mr Kenny claims he was assaulted when the gate to the property was banged shut on his hand.
The court has been told Mr Charlton has a paper title deed to the land and he has accused Kenny of effectively stealing the quarter-acre.
The two sides have until 4pm on Monday to reach a settlement or the case will return to court.
Additional reporting: PA