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Irish community newspaper saved from liquidation

A London-based newspaper which circulates among the expatriate Irish community in Britain has been saved from closure.

The Irish Post ceased publication in August after its owners, Thomas Crosbie Holdings of Cork, put it into liquidation with the loss of ten jobs.

Now it is set to return to the newsstands after being bought by London-based Irish businessman Elgin Loane, who also owns the classified magazine Loot.

It follows a campaign to save the title launched y community leaders with the support of MPs and the National Union of Journalists.

Fiona Audley, chair of Save the Irish Post Campaign, said:  “Everyone involved in the Save the Irish Post campaign is delighted with the news that Elgin Loane has purchased the title, who was our preferred bidder.

“We look forward to a new and exciting future for The Irish Post and thank all the readers and friends of the paper who showed their support over the last six weeks.

“We hope they will continue to support us now as we bring this valuable paper back to the newstands. The voice of the Irish in Britain is back!”

Elgin Loane added:  “The Irish Post has a long and proud tradition of serving the expatriate community in Britain for over forty years and must be continued for the benefit of both the incumbents as well as the growing population of Irish people heading to Britain.”

The fight to re-open the paper was supported by MP Chris Ruane, the chair of the All Party Group on the Irish in Britain.

More than 70 MPs signed a parliamentary motion dawing attention to the campaign.

In a letter to fellow supporters he said that the title would be relaunched with its existing staff in a new location.

He said:  “The new owner Elgin Loane has demonstrated his confidence in the future of the Irish Post and that’s down to committed staff and members of the community that stood behind it when the future looked bleak. This is a victory for the whole community.”