A warning by the Restaurants Association of Ireland that it expects “a wave of food business closures” hit home in Killarney this week

Celtic Donoughts closed this week

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The RAI said that 280 restaurants have closed in Ireland over the last six months due to high running costs and the increase in the VAT rate.

"We're facing a crisis in our industry at the moment in terms of closures, and we're seeking immediate action from the Government to intervene in terms of saving our industry and saving restaurants and coffee shops across the country," said RAI Chief executive Adrian Cummins.

Last week, the Killarney Advertiser revealed that Garret’s Restaurant on College St will cease trading at the end of this month due to the unavailability of trained chefs.

Since that story was published two more food related businesses in the town centre have ceased trading.

The Underground Café at Market Cross closed its doors over the weekend while Celtic Donoughts on Plunkett St also ceased trading this week.

"We feel we are going to see hundreds if not thousands of businesses close across the state in the next 12 months, if the Government don't intervene and provide a rescue package for our industry as soon as they can," added Mr Cummins.

Unconfirmed reports say that retail units in Killarney also face closure in the coming weeks