Tara TV is to close later this evening, it has been confirmed today.

A statement issued by the channel read: "Staff and management at Tara TV regret to announce that the channel will cease broadcasting at 1 a.m. on Thursday April 4th 2002. We wish to thank our many viewers for their loyalty and support."

The move comes two weeks after Irish backers RTE, which own a 20% stake in the venture, appointed liquidators to the channel. "It was not possible to continue the support when there was clear evidence that the company was insolvent and there was no viable business plan for the future," said an RTE spokesman. "RTE has a duty to act in its own best interests and to ensure that its public funding is carefully and prudently deployed."

It may not be all bad news for fans of Irish programming resident in the UK, however. "As soon as possible RTE will take every step possible to ensure alternative access to Irish programming for viewers in the UK, at an affordable price," added the spokesman.