Staff at Debenhams in Cork who have lost their jobs say they feel abandoned by the UK owners of the Irish operation and say a nationwide protest is planned for tomorrow.
The company employs almost 1500 people at its 11 Irish stores, with a further 500 people employed by in-store concession outlets.
Last week, the High Court appointed provisional liquidators to the Irish operation after it was told by the company that it is insolvent and couldn't pay its debts.
The company said it had no choice but to apply to be wound down after the withdrawal of support by Debenhams Retail Limited in the UK following the appointment of an Administrator to its own business there.