A cafe in Westmanstown was shut down after inspectors found dead mice in traps in both the ground floor and first floor kitchens.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served a closure order on Westmanstown Sports Centre on November 26, which was lifted on November 28.
The order was served on the executive committee of the Garda Recreation Club after an inspection found the premises failed to meet pest control standards.
In its report, the FSAI inspector noted: “Dead mouse in trap in ground floor kitchen. Dead mouse in mouse trap in first floor kitchen. Mouse droppings evident in first floor kitchen and bar area.
“Adequate procedures are not in place to control pests. The food premises is not in a clean condition.”
Inspectors recommended a number of measures, including protecting food against contamination at every stage of preparation and production.
Their ruling also recommended the “food premises to be kept clean” and changes to the layout to facilitate good food hygiene practices.
A follow-up visit from the FSAI two days after the premises was closed showed standards were being met and the cafe/restaurant re-opened.
The FSAI served a record 21 closure orders and two prohibition orders nationwide during November, eight of them in Dublin.
FSAI chief executive Pamela Byrne condemned the high number of food businesses issued with enforcement orders in the space of a single month.
She said: “A total of 23 enforcement orders over a one-month period is totally unacceptable.
“The presence of rodents and other pests presents a grave and immediate danger to consumers’ health and food businesses must put in place more robust pest control systems.”
Clarification: The previous image used with this article showed the incorrect premises – apologies to the business affected, and we are happy to make this clarification.
