The move, which is currently under consultation, will lead to 46 redundancies.

Johnston Press will expand its printing operations at Limerick and Carn to deal with its Irish regional publications printed at the plant, including the Kilkenny People.

According to the company the plant has been loss-making for some time.

David Crow, divisional managing director, said: "The commercial and contract print markets in the Republic of Ireland are significantly depressed and our operations there have been loss-making for some time. The objective behind this proposal is to ensure our printing operations are structured and managed as effectively and efficiently as possible so that the long-term future of the business can be sustained.

"A review of our print operations in the Republic of Ireland identified that through expansion of spare capacity at our Limerick and Carn print facilities, the needs of our customers and newspapers can be met in a more cost-effective and sustainable way."