Following multiple reports that Galaxy Note 7 phones have caught fire or exploded in recent weeks, Samsung, who have sold more than one million Note 7 smartphones in 10 countries so far including South Korea and the US, have made the decision to issue a worldwide recall.

Suspending sales of the smartphone, the company's president, Koh Dong-jin, has confirmed that an investigation carried out by the company discovered that a particular battery cell was causing the sudden fires.

Acknowledging the 35 confirmed cases, Koh said: "We have received several reports of battery explosion on the Note 7 that was officially launched on 19 August, and it has been confirmed that it was a battery cell problem."

Expressing regret over the incidents, he advised the public that anyone who has purchased a Note 7 will be entitled to swap it for a new smartphone regardless of the purchase date.

"For customers who already have Galaxy Note 7 devices, we will voluntarily replace their current device with a new one over the coming week," a spokesperson for the company confirmed.

It has been established that Samsung – a south Korean company – would require two weeks to prepare replacement devices for the faulty phones, and the planned release for the model in several European countries has now been suspended.

Customers affected in Ireland can contact 01 6950367 to arrange a replacement over the coming weeks.