CARPHONE Warehouse branches in Tralee, Killarney and across the country have closed with immediate effect.

Branches in Tralee (The Square and Manor West) and Killarney are among the 81 nationwide to shut for good with 486 jobs lost.

A statement from owners Dixons Carphone said it made the decision to close Carphone Warehouse in Ireland, in line with its decision to close all standalone Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK in 2020.

It cited changes in the way customers buy mobile devices and reduced footfall during the pandemic as reasons for decline in business.