‘We had no idea it was happening’
Two long-standing Echo reporters have spoken of their devastation after they were told by owners Landmark Media Group they had no jobs as Wexford Echo Limited would be going into liquidation.
Dan Walsh, a reporter for The Echo since 1970, said the only comment he had to say about it all was ‘ heartbreaking.’
‘Thirty odd staff were just let go out of the blue and we had no idea it was happening,’ said Dan.
On Thursday last all workers were told at 4 p.m. they had a ‘priority meeting’ at 5 p.m. with the owners from Landmark Media Group, which was delayed by 20 minutes.
Dan said they all knew ‘something was wrong’ but not what they were met with when a statement was read out about how a provisional liquidator, Kieran Wallace, was appointed in hope that a buyer for the four titles can be found.
‘They came in and read the statement exactly like it had been printed on the news and had nothing else to say really, other than thanking us for all our hard work. We were in total shock,’ said Dan.
Dan said they all thought ‘at least someone else would takeover straight away’ but it was completely closed from Friday last.
Dan covered the Gorey area and regularly had his own historical columns, he said ‘to think that was my last piece of writing is very sad’ and he will miss the job greatly.
Dan said: ‘I loved my job but at least I am not in a bad position. Many of our staff here have families to look after, houses to build, cars to run, it is them my heart goes out to.’
Music enthusiast Brendan Keane has been a journalist for The Echo 15 years’ and was horrified when the owners broke the news to him.
Brendan said: ‘To be honest, I am shocked more than angry. I don’t see the point in being angry over what happened as the situation will still be the same. It won’t change.’
Brendan’s favourite part of his job was covering county Wexford’s music scene, being able to provide publicity for local musicians.
A heartbroken Brendan said: ‘I was halfway through a story on Thursday before the meeting. When I returned, I shut down the lid of my laptop thinking that was my last story for The Echo.’
‘I don’t know what my next move is, I have four children and I am in the middle of building a house. It is just awful,’ said Brendan.
Both reporters said that it was unfair to their readers as they have been with them along the way and wanted to ‘thank them for all the messages of support’ they have received since the news broke.