UP TO five companies, including the New York-based Irish Voice group controlled by publisher Niall O'Dowd, have made bids to buy the London-based Irish Postnewspaper, which was closed by Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) in mid-August.
The bids, including one from the publisher of a long-time competitor of the Post, Irish Worldfounder Paddy Cowan, and Elgin Loan, publisher of free ads paper Loot, were considered yesterday by the liquidators, Belfast-based FPM. A decision on the future of the loss-making publication could be announced as early as today.
TCH bought the Irish Postfor £1.3 million in 2003, though sources in London have said they believe the title is now for sale for £150,000 upwards. TCH, which publishes the Irish Examinerand Evening Echo,is understood to be the biggest creditor of the Post.The Postsold between 17,000 and 20,000 copies before it closed, with TCH and Poststaff disagreeing on the figure.
TCH’s decision to close in mid-August, when staff were given hours to leave the Hammersmith offices, has been deeply unpopular with many in the Irish community in Britain. The Federation of Irish Societies’ chief executive Jennie McShannon said TCH closed it “in its own interests, not ours”.
