A SPOKESPERSON FOR The Kingdom newspaper says it will produce one final edition for its readers. The last-ever edition of the Killarney-based newspaper will go on sale next Tuesday morning around Co Kerry.

The closure of The Kingdom was announced by its owners, Thomas Crosbie Holdings, which also owns national titles the Irish Examiner and the Sunday Business Post as well as a host of local papers and shares in regional radio stations like Beat 102 and Red FM.

A statement from the company said that the 11 full-time staff were told they would lose their jobs yesterday morning.  Tom Murphy, Chief Executive of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, said the decision to close The Kingdom was regrettable but was taken as a result of the severe economic downturn. His statement read:

We had a strong business in Kerry with a fantastic staff and the current situation is sad indeed.

The paper’s editor John O’Mahony said he would like to pay tribute to the “hard work and commitment” of the staff. He said:

The Kingdom is immensely proud of the role it has played offering award-winning news and sports coverage to the people of Kerry since TCH acquired the title in 2000.

He also spoke of the paper’s “important role in the community” through its involvement in local projects such as the annual Christmas Toy Appeal and the Kingdom Charity Ball.

The closure of The Kingdom means it is the second Irish newspaper to fold in less than a week. Staff at the Irish Daily Star Sunday were told last Thursday morning that their paper was to close with immediate effect. However,  a last edition was produced for publication last Sunday. That paper closed with the loss of 17 jobs and some freelance employees.