Hartigan’s pub, situated in Dublin’s city centre on Leeson Street, was subjected to a closure order last month as a result of dead rodents and their droppings being discovered on the property. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the closure order was implemented on July 22nd and rescinded slightly over a week later. A published inspection report from the FSAI revealed that old and new droppings from rodents were identified on the property. The discovery of rodent corpses in a snap trap near the keg room was additionally detailed in the report, along with a rodent’s leg in a drink store snap trap. The report determined that sufficient pest control measures were notably absent.
In July, the FSAI issued a total of 16 enforcement orders, including 12 closure orders. Among those hit with a closure order was Boba Bar, which is located on Parnell Street in Dublin, due to an active infestation of cockroaches in every stage of life throughout the establishment. The inspection report indicated the sighting of live and dead cockroaches in a trap beneath a kitchen fridge, as well as on the floor, refrigerators, and under food preparation zones. The report also noted that food items, which required no cooking such as carrots and herbs, were being prepared in proximity to where living cockroaches were found.
As of the last update from the FSAI, the closure order served on July 23rd has yet to be lifted. FSAI’s Chief Executive, Dr Pamela Byrne, blamed squalid conditions, improper food storage and deficient pest control for the majority of the month’s enforcement orders. She delivered a strong criticism of food establishments for their flagrant disregard for food safety regulations and their continuing negligence towards basic cleaning practices. Dr Byrne stressed the legal obligation on food businesses to ensure food safety through maintaining correct storage temperatures, training staff adequately, adhering to stringent hygiene protocols, and fully pest-proofing their establishments to prevent such health risks.