Retail giant Argos are set to close all Irish stores, including four in the Shannonside Northern Sound Region, by summer this year according to the Mandate Trade Union.
The British company operates 26 outlets nationwide with local branches in Longford, Cavan, Monaghan and Athlone.
Some stores will shut in March following the end of their leases, with the remainder to close by June 24th.
While no official statement on the closures has been made from Argos as of yet, Mandate Trade Union have confirmed they are currently engaging over workers redundancy deals.
Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien says it will be a hard day for staff receiving the news today:
Of course it's very tough for any person to lose their jobs like that.
I certainly know our Department of Enterprise and Minister Coveney will be actively involved in that space.
The one thing, I suppose for people receiving very bad news like that, is that the Irish jobs market is currently very strong.
It's believed the closures will result in over 400 job losses across around 30 stores.
Michael Meegan from the Mandate Trade Union says staff were informed this morning:
All Staff have been informed this morning that the Argos business in the Republic of Ireland will be ceasing trading here in June.
There's over 400 staff impacted in about 26 stores altogether.
