The company, which opened its first store in Newtownsmith in Galway in 2009, announced the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

Stores are continuing to trade for the moment, but there are concerns for the 640 jobs in the 77 stores across Ireland.

The UK fashion outlet, which first opened here in 2003, employs 347 staff nationwide and is winding down its Irish operations following years of sustained losses.

The Dublin-based company, which provided uPVC windows and doors and aluclad windows in new builds and home renovations, closed earlier this month saying it was unable to pay its debts

The appointments were made in respect of GNC Well Ireland Unlimited Company, and the related THSD Unlimited Company

The High Court has appointed joint provisional liquidators to a financial firm that issues prepaid cards allowing customers to buy goods and services throughout the European Union