Four local newspaper titles in Ireland ceased operation last week, putting 40 people out of work.

The Voice Newspaper Group blamed a downturn in the economy and heavy competition from UK newspaper groups for the closure of its Cavan, Tipperary, Monaghan and Kildare Voice papers, RTÉ News reported Friday.

Voice titles in Kilkenny, Galway, Laois and Tallaght will continue publication.

John Sheils, chairman and founder of the Voice Newspaper Group, said the closures mark “a sad day for all of us, however, I must stress that the closures did not reflect the quality of the newspapers and the high standards achieved by the staff who worked there,” according to RTÉ.