THE Sunday Tribune is seeking a new editor following the resignation of Mr Peter Murtagh.
Mr Murtagh resigned yesterday from the newspaper he has edited for the past two years, following an agreement on a severance package worked out last month.
In a further blow to the ailing newspaper, several other journalists have also resigned.
They include the crime correspondent, Liz Allen, who is to go to the Sunday Independent to succeed Veronica Guerin, murdered last month, and senior columnist Joe Joyce.
In his letter of resignation Mr Murtagh thanked the chairman of the board of directors, Mr Gordon Colleary, and the other directors for support.
He wished them well in finding a replacement "and obtaining investment necessary to help secure the paper's future.
Mr Murtagh declined to comment further last night, though it is believed his dissatisfaction was at the lack of investment to market and promote the newspaper and recruit journalists.
While the Tribune is expected to report an increase in circulation for the first six months of this year to around 79,000, compared with 75,081 for January to June 1995 it will be down on the last audited figure of 82,569 for the last six months of 1995.
The newspaper has continued to make losses last year's was £2.36 million. However, the company is confident that this year it will be much lower.
It is believed that Mr Murtagh found it difficult and frustrating trying to fight well funded competition, especially the Sunday Times, with the limited resources available to him.
The Tribune is 29.9 per cent owned by Independent Newspapers, which has kept the company afloat with regular loans.
Two weeks ago, while Mr Murtagh was on holiday in Spain, the board appointed Helen Callanan deputy editor. She will edit the newspaper until a new editor is appointed.
In April 1994, Mr Murtagh succeeded Mr Vincent Browne, who was dismissed at the end of 1993. Mr Murtagh had been news editor of the Guardian before returning to Dublin, and is also a former Irish Times reporter.
Mr Colleary said yesterday that he had noted the editorial improvements in the newspaper.
That improvement had resulted in a more up market readership profile and the first growth in circulation in over five years.
Last Sunday the newspaper advertised for new journalists. A YOUNG boy drowned yesterday afternoon in a bathing accident at Tramore beach in Co Waterford. The accident was the first summer drowning at the resort for more than 20 years.
Christopher Power (6), from Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Waterford city, had gone to the beach with his mother and grandmother to spend the day by the sea. The tide was well out as he played in the water, but he got into difficulties at about 2.30 p.m.
A group of children in the vicinity raised the alarm and a lifeguard, Ms Deirdre Cully, managed to pull the boy from the water. She tried in vain to revive him. He was taken by ambulance to Waterford Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The weather was fine at the time and the water very calm.
A post mortem examination is to be carried out and an inquest will be held at a later date.
Christopher is survived by his parents, Deirdre and Christopher, and by a nine year old sister.