The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said it will carry out a full investigation into the proposed purchase by Formpress Publishing of D&D Media.
D&D Media are the owners of the Inishowen Independent newspaper in Donegal and its website inishowenindo.ie.
Formpress Publishing is a subsidiary of Iconic Newspapers and the company operates more than 20 local news titles, including 'The Limerick Leader', 'The Dundalk Democrat' and 'The Leinster Leader'.
The purchase deal was first announced in April.
The CCPC has invited submissions from interested parties to be made by August 28.
