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.

However, the company is also known to be planning to establish a central press operation in Limerick, which may create new jobs.

Johnston entered the Irish market with the takeover of the Kilkenny People in early 2005. It added the Limerick Leader, The Dundalk Democrat, Leinster Express, Leinster Leader, Limerick Leader, Offaly Express and Tallaght Echo in November 2005 in a €138 million deal.

Johnston Press is the biggest British regional newspaper player.

At the time of Johnston’s 2006 results in March, chief executive Tim Bowdler said Irish advertising revenue growth was “very healthy” and it was on the lookout for further acquisitions here.