Councillors hope that Echo jobs can be saved

SYMPATHIES were extended to the thirty staff of Wexford Echo newspapers by councillors at the meeting, some of whom hit out at the way they were treated by their parent company.

The newspaper group - which is owned by Cork based Landmark Media - had four titles. Its staff were informed on Thursday, June 29, that the company was in liquidation. Cllr Davy Hynes said: ‘It was a shock to say the least when we heard that Echo Newspapers had stopped. While I certainly hope that a buyer can be found and that the 30 jobs can be saved, the way this was announced to the people was outrageous.

‘I worked in Wexford Elec- tronics and for the same thing to happen now where the staff were the last people to be told. Something was supposed to be done when Clerys folded up in the same way - it’s not on in this day and age.’

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Hegarty said: ‘On behalf of the whole council we want to express our sympathies to the people who worked there and to their families.’

Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said her great-grandfather worked as a reporter in the Enniscorthy Echo and her grandfather on the other side compiled district notes for the newspaper, adding that she compiled local notes for the paper for 20 years. ‘As politicians we have a great relationship with the local paper and radio stations. In an age of fake news, the local paper is a trusted source of information. Even if you misspelled a child’s name someone would pull you up on it. It’s a huge loss to us in County Wexford. To all of the people associated with it and to everyone who worked there down through the years it’s a huge loss.’

Cllr Fionntán Ó’Suilleabháin urged people to buy their local newspaper, the Wexford People, New Ross Standard and Gorey and Enniscorthy Guardians and read them, saying there is more useful information in them than on social media.