Johnston Press set for 75 Irish redundancies

REGIONAL newspaper publisher Johnston Press is seeking more than 70 redundancies among its 430 staff in Ireland.

The Irish Examiner has learned that the company, which owns the Limerick Leader and several other titles, is seeking the redundancies by September and told its workforce they are needed ensure maintained profitability in the face of competition from free newspapers and other media groups.

It is understood managing director in Ireland Barry Brennan told staff 75 jobs will go, including 21 from its finance department and 40 from operations and management. It is not known at this stage what redundancy terms the Scottish media group is offering staff.