Published: Wednesday, 1st September, 2010 6:00pm

Athlone Voice ceases publication

The Athlone Voice is to cease publication, with immediate effect, it was confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

Alpha Newspapers, owned by John Taylor, announced to staff yesterday that it will no longer publish the Athlone Voice, the Roscommon Champion or the Longford News.

Some 25 jobs are at risk across the three titles and it is understood negotiations regarding redundancy packages will begin tomorrow (Thursday)

Jonathan Taylor of Alpha Newspapers confirmed to the Westmeath Independent yesterday that the three newspapers were up for sale. However, Mr Taylor added that the newspaper group plans to retain the Tullamore Tribune and the Midland Tribune.

Staff at the three newspapers received a letter on Friday of last week informing them there would be a company announcement regarding the reorganisation of the company yesterday afternoon at 2pm and all staff were required to attend.

At yesterday's meetings staff were informed that publication of all three titles would cease with immediate effect and the three newspaper titles were up for sale.

The Westmeath Independent understands that staff were told that the three newspapers had been making losses for some time and the company could no longer sustain these losses. Management told staff the decision wasn't taken lightly but it had been taken to protect its other titles now and into the future.

The Athlone Voice was first published on September 23, 2003, under the ownership of Midmedia Limited. It was purchased by Alpha Newspapers in the summer of 2005.