More than half of the shops in the Celtic Bookmakers chain have been saved from closure, it was revealed tonight.
Sixteen shops in the collapsed gambling chain, headed up by former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates, shut down with the loss of 56 jobs this evening.
But receiver Neil Hughes, of accountancy firm Hughes Blake, said the remaining 29 outlets remain viable and will stay open with most of the jobs rescued.
"It is with great regret that we have announced the closure of 16 shops with the loss of 56 jobs," he said.
"It is, unfortunately, a necessary move if we are to maintain the viability of the majority of the shops in the network and protect the remaining jobs. With the offers received for the remaining outlets, I am now confident that
it will be possible to safeguard the vast majority of the remaining jobs."
There were fears for 237 jobs at the company after it went into receivership earlier this month, owing AIB more than €6 million.
Two shops in Raheny, Dublin and Naas, Co Kildare, have already closed, with the loss of six jobs, since the receiver was put in place.
The other closures announced this evening are in Dublin (Dean Street, Dún Laoghaire, Blanchardstown, Phibsborough), Castlecomer Road in Kilkenny, Cork City, Limerick City, Mallow, Carrick on Suir, Cashel, Dooradoyle in Co Limerick and Listowel, Co Kerry.
Outlets in Sligo, Ballina in Co Mayo, Tuam and Roscommon also shut.
The shops will reopen next week for one day to settle all bets.
Mr Hughes said all workers who lost their jobs would receive statutory entitlements.
The rescued outlets are expected to be sold off as going concerns to competing bookies in the coming weeks.
PA