‘The Cork News’ ceases publication after six years

Weekly freesheet The Cork News has announced last Friday’s publication was its final issue, and the paper is to close.

Circulating in Cork City and county, the newspaper announced the end of its six-year run on its website yesterday.

It had counted Newstalk broadcaster George Hook and comedian Colm O’Regan among regular contributors.

“This is a very sad day for everyone here,” a statement yesterday from managing director Daniel Carey and editor Lorcan Mac Muiris read.

“Our first thoughts are with our brilliant staff, our newspaper distributors, and their families as they face the uncertain months ahead.”

The most recent accounts posted to the Companies Registration Office by parent company Cork News and Media Ltd, showed that at the end of August 2013, it had accumulated losses of some €352,276.

The company’s directors are Kinsale-based husband and wife Daniel and Maxine Carey. The couple are also directors of Like Magazines Limited which produces a free lifestyle magazine, the first issue of which was published last November.

The latest ABC figures showed the The Cork News distributed an average of 30,000 free copies per week.

Katie Mythen, who edited The Cork News from its launch until August of last year, said she was sad to hear of the closure. “There was a time when it was an exciting thing to be part of,” she posted on Twitter.

Both Ms Mythen and the paper’s former head of design, Johnny Lynch, are taking action against The Cork News for alleged unfair dismissal. Asked about actions against the firm, Mr Carey said he “would have no comment on that at all”..