Competition body to investigate freesheet merger

The Competition Authority has launched an investigation into a planned deal that would see Dublin's two daily freesheets being merged into one.

The Irish Times and Independent Newspapers are proposing to take joint control of the firm which publishes Metro Ireland.

Independent Newspapers already publishes the rival freesheet, Herald AM.

Under the takeover plan, both publications would be scrapped and replaced with a new Metro Herald paper.

The Competition Authority is seeking views from the public before making a decision on the deal.