Irish Post to close after 41 years

THIS week’s edition of the leading Irish newspaper in Britain, The Irish Post, will be its last.

The newspaper, acquired by Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) in 2003 for close to €2.5m, has been placed in creditors’ voluntary liquidation.

It served the Irish community in Britain for more than 40 years.

Ten staff jobs have been lost.

TCH’s regional newspapers chief executive officer, Dan Linehan, said staff were briefed on Thursday morning and confirmed that Wednesday’s publication was its final edition.

He said the decision was taken as a result of the severe economic downturn and significantly reduced advertising revenues.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and commitment of the staff at The Irish Post,” he said. “They have been part of our group for eight years and they have tried very hard to make the newspaper work. Regrettably, persistent trading losses and the economic climate have made the title unsustainable.”

The newspaper was established in 1970 by Breandán Mac Lua and Tony Beatty. The newspaper was owned by Jefferson Smurfit before being acquired by TCH.

In January, the TCH-owned Killarney-based Kingdom newspaper ceased publication with the loss of 11 jobs.

In December 2010, TCH sold the Sligo Weekender. In September 2010, TCH sold the Newry Democrat to the Alpha Newspaper Group, owned by former Ulster Unionist MP John Taylor and his family.

TCH also owns the Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo.