The Clare Champion is without an editor for the second time in ten months after the departure of Michael Sheridan.

Mr Sheridan was appointed in May of this year. The paper's managing editor, John Galvin, said Mr Sheridan had "left by mutual consent".

Mr Galvin said he was naturally disappointed, but added that Mr Sheridan's departure was "the best thing for all concerned".

The move has immediate effect and chief reporter Tony Mulvey has been appointed acting editor. Mr Galvin added: "It will take a bit of time to have in place a replacement, but the Clare Champion is a very attractive place to work."

Mr Sheridan's departure takes place just five months after the launch of the Clare People, which is challenging the Clare Champion's 103-year dominance of the newspaper market in Co Clare.

Mr Sheridan's departure was "part of the cut and thrust of business", Mr Galvin said.

Last January, the current managing editor of the Clare People, Gerry Collison, resigned his post as Clare Champion editor after a dispute over editorial independence with Mr Galvin.

The paper was again in the spotlight last month when it came under fire from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) over proposed contracts that allow personal body searches to be carried out by management.