Grime, rodents and cockroaches: 14 closure orders issued by FSAI in November

Ellen O'Donoghue

A total of 14 closure orders were served on food businesses by the FSAI in November for reasons including a rodent infestation in the main food area, an old rodent carcass in a bar area, and cigarette butts noted in a food preparation area in old food containers.

Eight closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on:

• McHales Catering Base and Stretford End Bar (Closed areas: Main kitchen and all storage areas behind the kitchen, including food storage and food preparation areas) (Restaurant/Café), Drumkeen Causeway, Co Kerry;
• Big Johns (Take Away), Main Street, Upper Mohill, Co Leitrim;
• The Bridge House (Closed area: Storage Room and Back Bar area) (Public House), Corner of Persses-Lot & Main St (N74), Golden, Co Tipperary;
• Umami (Retailer), 76 Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin;
• United Foods (Wholesaler/ Distributor), 76 Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin;
• Bodega Cafe @ Inspire (Service Sector), Unit 12M, Ard Gaoithe Business Park, Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary;
• The Mekong (Take Away), 307 Swords Road, Santry, Dublin 9;
• The Glendalough Hotel, Glendalough, Co Wicklow.

The other closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation Regulations, 2020, on:

• Enzos (Take Away), 87 Parnell Street, Dublin 1;
• Coffee Shack (Closed area: The room in the building at the rear of the Coffee Shack, Station Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, being used as a food store) (Take Away), Station Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo;
• Akanchawa Honey Pot (Restaurant/ Café), Unit 39, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15;
• A.M.K Sushi (Take Away), Domestic Kitchen at Moynalty Road, Kells, Co Meath;
• Benny’s Kitchen (Service Sector/ Residential), Domestic Kitchen at Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15;
• Cruncheesz (Take Away), Cavan Road, Oldcastle, Co Meath.

Some of the other reasons for enforcement orders in November include both dead and live cockroaches visible in the staff kitchen, a kebab slab being removed from a rotisserie grill at the close of business each night and held at ambient temperatures until reopening the next day, and floors, walls and ceilings being covered in dirt, grime and cobwebs.

Ponding of a grey sludge-like material from the discharge pipe leading from the potato preparation area, which could serve as an attractant for pests, was noted as another reason for a closure order being issued, and so was no labelling being on any of the cooked food in the fridge/freezer, and staff not demonstrating adequate knowledge of the basic principles of food safety.

Unidentifiable food was stored in plastic shopping bags in a chest freezer was also noted in one of the businesses.

Greg Dempsey, chief executive of the FSAI, said that takeaway businesses account for almost a quarter of all businesses served with Enforcement orders so far in 2025.

“To support this sector, the FSAI has launched a dedicated section on its website for starting and running a takeaway business,” Mr Dempsey said.

“The resource includes guidance tailored specifically to takeaway operations, highlights the most frequent compliance issues in Ireland, and provides practical advice on how to prevent and control them.”

He added that November’s Enforcement Orders serve as a reminder that all food businesses must maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times, especially during the Christmas and New Year periods.

“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,” Mr Dempsey said.

“During the busy festive period, it is especially important that food businesses have proper procedures in place to manage increased demands and pressures.

“All food businesses must comply with their legal requirement to notify the competent authorities prior to operating to ensure there are adequate food safety processes, procedures and facilities in place.”

Separately, in October, a prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to The Green Ways Café, Main Street, Nobber, Co Meath.