There were several reports last night that Johnston Press is closing Irish weekly the Offaly Express with the loss of eight jobs.
RTE reported that staff were told only two more editions of the paper would be published before its closure.
It said the decision was ‘part of a wider rationalisation across the group in Ireland and the UK”.
RTE said:
It is believed that Johnston will continue to publish its other regional newspapers in the Midlands, including the Leinster Express and the Leinster Leader.
The Irish Examiner reported that the NUJ is now seeking a meeting with Johnston to discuss the closure of the Tullamore-based title.
The Offaly edition of the Leinster Express started in 1984 to serve County Offaly, and it was part of the Leinster Leader Group until it was sold to Johnston Press in 2005.
Combined Leinster & Offaly Express ABC figures stood at 11,339 (down 11.7 per cent) in the first half of 2011.
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