Kelly voices his support for the Longford News staff

Fianna Fáil TD Peter Kelly has expressed his shock and disappointment at the news that the Longford New Newspaper is to close, along with its sister titles the Roscommon Champion and the Athlone Voice.

The Longford TD has expressed his sincere support to the staff at the Longford News, all of whom he knows personally.

“The Longford News has a long and proud history in Longford. It has documented the events of the county for almost 75 years and news of its closure has come as a shock to me personally and to the people of Longford.”

“It has been an important part of the fabric of Longford all my life and I am personally very saddened that this decision has been taken.”

“I have had the honour of knowing and dealing with all the owners of the paper down through the years from the original owner Vincent Gill to the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, and the more recent owners Jack Davis, Arnold Fanning and Turners Printers and, most recently, the Alpha Group and Lord Kilclooney.”

“I am particularly disappointed for the staff of the Longford News, who I know to be very loyal and dedicated staff.”

“I hope that the Alpha Group and Lord Kilclooney give the staff the priority they are entitled to at this time considering the service they have given the newspaper. I know they are due to meet with management shortly and I would very much hope and expect that they will be treated with the respect that they deserve,” he concluded.