Foyle staff leaving

Sources close to the station told the Sentinel long-standing Radio Foyle employee Paul McFadden is to leave the station today as is his colleague Eimear O'Callaghan.

The source told this paper that the two well-known staff members have been in talks with management in Belfast about their future.

The station is already looking for a new manager to replace outgoing boss Paul McCauley.

The Sentinel asked the BBC its plans for its Londonderry-based plant. But a spokeswoman said it is the broadcaster's policy not to comment on individual staff.

"We have been reviewing BBC Radio Foyle's programme schedule and have shared some of the background detail to this work with a cross-section of civic and community representatives at a recent event in Derry.

"Programmes will continue to be broadcast as normal by BBC Radio Foyle's experienced team of journalists and presenters until further announcements about the station's new schedule which will be made in due course.

"It is not appropriate for us to comment on individual staff matters however we can confirm that we are currently recruiting an Editor for BBC Radio Foyle to ensure continued strong leadership for the station and to consolidate its future," the spokeswoman said.