Dublin pub among six premises issued with closure orders

A pub in Dublin city is among six premises that have been issued with closure orders after rodent droppings were found in multiple areas of the city centre location.

The Bankers Bar on Trinity Street in Dublin 2 has been ordered to close all parts of its kitchen which are located in the basement of the building after droppings were found in the passage next to the kitchen and beside an air compressor leading to the ice machine.

There was also evidence of "gnawed wall paper" and the "gnawing of a black bin bag of waste adjacent to the kitchen" as recorded in the closure order.

Rodent droppings were also found at Lotus Asian Food Takeaway in Stillorgan in south Dublin.

The report noted that the droppings were found in seven separate locations on the premises including on a staff apron, under the wash hand basin and under food shelving units.

A full closure of the premises has been ordered.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued a total of six closure orders last month which also included an Indian restaurant on Parnell Street in Dublin city.

Indian Spices was found to have an active cockroach infestation which involved cockroaches of "all stages of the lifecycle from nymph to adult".

The report noted that cockroaches were found alive and dead in areas where drinks are served and crockery is stored.

Shapla Indian Spice in Co Carlow was also issued with a closure order after bird droppings were discovered on the windowsill.

The FSAI found that the level of cleaning in the premises was insufficient, which must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

It noted a "dirty and grease-encrusted chair" in the food preparation area which is used by workers during vegetable preparation.

The FSAI also observed containers of cooked meat with no dates labelled while a staff member could not tell them the relevant dates of cooking.

Grill Kebab in Broadford, Co Limerick was issued with a closure order in part due to evidence of a person living in the rear kitchen.

The FSAI noted there was a mattress on the floor in a storage room with bedding, a suitcase, shoes, clothes and a stained towel on the wall.

FLC in Balbriggan was also issued with a closure order which was confined to a prohibition on the sale and supply of milkshakes and desserts.

Preparation of raw meat in an unclean and cramped area was evidenced in close proximity to the assembly and dispensing area of desserts and milkshakes.

Chief Executive of the FSAI Pamela Byrne said that breaches of food safety legislation can pose a real danger to consumer health.

She said there has to be a significant focus on maintaining food safety procedures by food businesses as they enter what is typically the busiest time of year.

"With the Christmas period already underway and the corresponding significant increase in demand for food services, food businesses must ensure that they maintain the highest food safety standards at all times, most especially at these busy times, when cutting corners or letting standards lapse could result in a health risk to consumers," Ms Byrne said.

"Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility on owners, managers and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times.

"Food businesses must ensure there is a strong food safety culture in place, including adequate training for all staff. This simply must be a top priority for food businesses."

Six premises in total were issued with closure orders:

• Shapla Indian Spice, Hanover Court, Kennedy Avenue, Carlow
• FLC (Closed activities: sale and supply of milk shakes and desserts), 8 - 10 Drogheda Street Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
• Grill Kebab, Main Street, Broadford, Limerick
• Lotus Asian Food Takeaway, 2 The Hill, Stillorgan, County Dublin
• Indian Spices, 138 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
• The Bankers (Closed area: All parts of the kitchen located in the basement), 16 Trinity Street, Dublin 2