Independent News and Media (INM) has announced today that it is to close its printing plant in Citywest in Dublin with the loss of 84 jobs.
Staff at the company were informed that the plan will close early next year.
According to RTE, a spokesman for the media group, which publishes titles including the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent, said the primary motivating factor was the continuing decline in circulation and advertising revenue in the sector.
At the start of this month, the firm announced a voluntary severance scheme for staff working in the printing plant.
The company said the decision had been taken with regret and that it fully appreciates the impact it will have on the staff who did not apply for the voluntary severance package.
The firm, recently taken over by Belgian Dutch company Mediahuis, will now enter into discussions with them.
Alternative plans will be made for printing the group’s many titles.
The company intends to use excess capacity it has at another printing plant it owns in Newry, and will also negotiate printing arrangements with third parties.
It is understood this will not include rival The Irish Times.
