Star On Sunday Folds

The title recorded a loss of over one million euro in 2010, and was projected to fare even worse in the current year.

It had average weekly sales of around 54,000.

The closure comes with the loss of 17 jobs. Journalists and staff at the paper were informed during a meeting last week.

The National Union of Journalists said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the closure, although privately some staff members admitted that it was widely known that the publication wasn't doing well.

The decision will not have any impact on the company's daily title, the Irish Daily Star, which continues to sell strongly.

The daily tabloid is thought to have made a profit of around €6m last year.