A British government embargo on advertising in Daily Ireland comes to an end today with the publication of independently audited figures showing the pro-Irish unity daily is selling over 60,000 copies a week.
"Our daily sale of 10,467 is a monumental achievement when you consider the opposition from unionists North and South to Daily Ireland and shows there is a real thirst for a paper which wears its nationalist heart on its sleeve," said Andersonstown News Group Managing Director Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. "This is a vindication of the hard work put in by the entire workforce at Daily Ireland and will be music to the ears of our readers and our investors. Daily View folded after just four weeks with sales of less than 500 a day which shows just how competitive the local newspaper market is but with over 100 issues under our belts, Daily Ireland is set to grow in the weeks, months and years ahead. When combined with our other newspapers — Andersonstown News, North Belfast News, South Belfast News and Lá — to give a circulation of over 100,000, Daily Ireland now offers advertisers a compelling proposition."
West Belfast MP Gerry Adams, who has been lobbying British Secretary of State Peter Hain on the Daily Ireland issue, says he has stressed the need for a level playing field.
"This is a vital project creating 30 jobs in the heart of West Belfast and it deserves to be treated fairly," said the West Belfast MP. "Peter Hain told me last week that Daily Ireland would be treated the same as the other dailies once its audited figures were submitted. I trust he will now deliver on that pledge."
Daily Ireland editor Maria McCourt says the audited figures prove the new paper is becoming an established part of the media landscape. "We're continuing to set the news agenda and bring on exciting new writers, such as Jarlath Burns, and our intention is to continue to develop this exciting daily newspaper."
It was also confirmed this week that the Equality Commission has agreed to back an Andersonstown News Group complaint against the government over its refusal to advertise in the new Daily Ireland.
"I've no doubt that all this pressure has borne fruit," said Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. "Daily Ireland is now an established part of the media landscape, providing a vibrant, pro-Irish unity perspective, and these recent developments will assure it continued success."
