Rodent infestation found at childcare facility as 12 closure orders issued to businesses last month

A childcare facility in Tipperary was among 12 food businesses served closure orders during the month of October for breaches of food safety legislation.

The closure orders were officially issued by Environmental Health Officers in the HSE over the alleged contravention of food safety legislation laid out by the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations of 2020.

The orders were issued in October for a range of alleged breaches related to substandard food safety and hygiene.

READ MORE: Major snow update as map shows exact areas at risk and Met Eireann gives verdict

READ MORE: OPW spent €70,000 on three sets of curtains at Dublin Castle

Eight Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

Longfield Academy, Rockview, Deerpark Rd, Cashel, Tipperary

This preschool and creche had its main kitchen closed down after inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation in the kitchen area, while rodent droppings were observed in multiple places throughout the kitchen. The closure order on the main kitchen used for reheating food was issued on October 25 and lifted the following day.

The Restaurant within Carnew Mart, Carnew, Wicklow

The restaurant at this mart was ordered to close on October 24 due to a rodent infestation in the main food preparation area. Inspectors noted that a dead rodent and rodent droppings were spotted throughout the kitchen. The closure order was lifted on October 29.

O'Crualaoi Butchers & Delicatessen (Closed area: The Kitchen), Scoil Mhuire Fatima, North Monastery Primary School, North Monastery Road, Cork

The kitchen of this butchers and delicatessen was closed up on October 23 with the order lifted on November 2. One of the reasons included evidence of pest activity, as well as the presence of rodent droppings.

Eskimo Pizza (Take Away), 31 Deansgrange Road, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin

This popular pizza takeaway was issued a closure order on October 21 as rodent droppings were spotted by inspectors in a number of locations in the food premises, while a number of pest proofing issues were also evident. The closure order was lifted on October 25

Baking Emporium (Foods of non-Animal Origin Processing), Bridgemount House, Dunmanway, Cork

This family-run artisan bakery was ordered to close on October 4 due to an active rodent infestation in the food store room and kitchen area. The order was lifted on October 10.

NDM Green Italia (Take Away), 37 Rathmines Road Upper, Rathmines, Dublin 6

This popular Italian restaurant was shut on October 3 as there was evidence of a rat infestation found in the food store room and food preparation area. The restaurant reopened on October 9.

Grain and Gain (Restaurant/Café), The Bypass Business Park, Bandon, Cork

This restaurant was shut on October 3 and remains closed. Inspectors stated that the layout and design of the kitchen was unsuitable to permit good hygiene practices.

Tinakilly Country House Hotel, Main Street, Rathnew, Wicklow

The main kitchen - food preparation end adjacent baking area within the main building - of this 4-star hotel was served a closure order on October 2 due to a rodent infestation. The order was lifted on October 8.

Four Closure Orders were served last month under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

Tasty Mac's (Take Away), Main Street, Falcarragh, Donegal

This popular takeaway was ordered to close on October 16 as there was no evidence of the implementation of a food safety management system. The order was lifted on October 22.

Welcome Home (Retailer), 2 Kickham Place, Tipperary Town, Tipperary

This family bakery ws issued a closure order on October 16 as the premises was not maintained in a clean condition, while there was also evidence of rodent faeces. The order was lifted on October 22.

CoCo Asian & Chinese Takeaway, Main Street, Ballingarry, Limerick

This Limerick takeaway was shut on October 10 after inspectors found containers of cooked crispy chicken stored on chest freezer and work surface at ambient air temperature, which is a risk to public health as food poisoning bacteria can grow and may render the food unfit for human consumption. The order was lifted on October 25.

Istanbul Kebab House (Restaurant/Café), 29 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin 1

This Dublin city centre takeaway was issued a closure order on October 2 as adequate pest control procedures were not in place, with inspectors discovering a significant build-up of fresh rodent droppings found under a fridge in the kitchen area. The order was lifted on October 9.

Two Prohibition Orders were also served last month under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

Sean Kent, Ballyrichard, Arklow, Wicklow - this is currently under appeal BD Trading (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit 1b Kiltoran Business Park, Ballyhale, Kilkenny

Meanwhile one Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

Superior Distribution Ireland Ltd (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Blackwater Farm, Clongiffen, Longwood, Meath

Commenting on the Enforcement Orders issued in October, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, reiterated that businesses must operate strict food safety procedures at all times and that they need to be especially vigilant during this particularly busy time of year leading up to Christmas.

"A high number of the Enforcement Orders were associated with issues related to pests as well as failures to maintain adequate cleaning. These issues are all preventable and food businesses must ensure that they always adhere to a high standard of food safety and hygiene.

"With the busy Christmas period nearly upon us, food businesses must be especially vigilant to ensure compliance with the law and to protect the health of their customers.”

Read all the latest headlines and breaking news on our homepage.