SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that news of the closure of the Newry Reporter will be a blow to the entire community.

The newspaper has announced it will publish its final edition later this month.

Mr McNulty said the paper had been part of the fabric of the area for over 150 years and will be a huge loss.

Newry and Armagh MLA Mr McNulty said:

“People in Newry and right across this area will be devastated to learn that the Newry Reporter is set to close its doors later this month. For over 150 years this newspaper has been right at the heart of the community, reporting on important events both locally and around the world and life for many will be much poorer without it.

“Local newspapers are part of the lifeblood of places like Newry, without them so much would go unreported or be missed. Everything from births, deaths, marriages to local politics, sporting matches and historic and civic events have covered the pages of the Reporter throughout its existence and this will all be lost for good when the paper closes its doors.

“Despite the pressures in the media industry that has seen many of its contemporaries close their doors, the Newry Reporter has remained a fine publication. The paper and its journalists are renowned for their investigate skills, shining a spotlight on the issues that matter to the community here and standing up or local people. My thoughts are with the staff of the newspaper and everyone in the area who holds it dear, with many having been readers of this publication all their lives. I hope there is still time for a solution to be found to prevent the closure of this local institution and will be reaching out to staff to express my solidarity.”