Newstalk, the Dublin-based national radio station owned by Denis O’Brien, has cut its digital news team from 10 employees to four, a source has told The Irish Times.

This resulted in team members being asked to reapply for jobs in both news and sports.

The most recent cuts follow the departure of Newstalk’s news editor, John Keogh, and its political correspondent, Páraic Gallagher.

Mr Keogh is believed to have left after Newstalk owner Communicorp decided to stand down the news editor roles at its stations and appoint a single head of news.

Communicorp previously had news editors in place at both Newstalk and Today FM, as well as a role covering 98FM, Spin 1038 and Spin South West. The director of news at Newstalk also oversees its supply of news to local and regional radio stations owned by other companies.