THE IRISH POST newspaper has published its first edition since it was saved from closure by a London-based Irish businessman last month.

The paper had been out of print for two months after newspaper group Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) decided to close it on 19 August leading to the loss of 12 jobs.

TCH cited persistent losses and circulation had reportedly fallen from 31,400 to 17,100 over the past eight years.

However, businessman Elgin Loane stepped in at the end of last month to save the newspaper, buying it for an undisclosed sum.

Today it published its first edition since it was saved, declaring “The voice of the Irish in Britain is back” with 72 pages of news, analysis and sports inside. Press Gazette reports that all the staff who lost their jobs have returned to their posts.

The paper’s CEO Niamh Kelly commented on the return:

It’s great to have the paper back on the newsstands again, where it belongs. The response from our readers has been fantastic.

We would not be where we are now without the support of the community as a whole and we would like to thank everyone involved for that. The Irish Post is back for good.

The frontpage of the comeback edition featured some of those who fought to save the newspaper including former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who is running for re-election next year, and Sky News journalist Enda Brady who welcomed its return on his Twitter account.

Presidential candidate Michael D Higgins said he was delighted to see the return of the newspaper, saying: “As a staple immigrant newspaper, The Irish Post has provided an integral link between the many Irish communities living in England with their families living in Ireland.

“As well as being a worthy supply of Irish news, The Irish Post has always taken a strong interest in the welfare of the Irish in Britain, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Read: Irish Post newspaper saved in Britain >