An order demanding closure was handed to three separate kitchens located in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel in Killiney, Co Dublin. The order came about after health inspectors discovered evidence of rodent infestations, significant dirt, and still water.
This order was one amongst 21 issued to various food businesses by HSE environmental health officials in April, as detailed in a report by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The CEO of FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne, expressed concern about the high quantity of such orders being issued over the last month.
Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, operated by Killiney Hotels Limited, had the closure order applied specifically to their Albert & Behan, PJ’s and Mapas kitchens. Within Albert & Behan Kitchen, health officials documented findings of debris, including an over-aged potato and rodent droppings on the floor. The inspectors’ report disclosed that grease, grime, dirt, and old food were deeply embedded within and behind the cooking appliances’ pipework and under flooring.
When it came to PJ’s kitchen, it was reported that dirt and food debris were deeply embedded in the floor, specifically under the dishwasher, frying units, and service refrigerators. The inspectors also found a shelving unit that held clean crockery in a dirty state with broken pieces present.
The investigation findings of Mapas Kitchen showed grease, dirt and old food debris embedded underneath the cooking equipment, along with a pool of stagnant water. The report also highlighted broken equipment and crockery underneath the dishwasher, old potato chips in the fryer from the day before, and aged food debris within and on top of an old chest freezer. A discarded chicken bone and more rodent droppings were discovered on the floor in this vicinity.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expressed that the operator of the food business did not cultivate a culture of food safety and could not provide proof of the same. Subsequently, a closure order was issued to Killiney Castle on the 15th of April, which was subsequently rescinded on the 17th of April.
In April, closure orders were also served to other establishments including Musashi Noodles and Sushi situated at 15 Capel Street in Dublin 1. The health inspector’s report highlighted that the kitchen’s sewer drain in the basement was defective and leaking, causing contaminated water to spray onto food, such as prawns, food preparation areas, and personnel handling food. It also trickled down from the ceiling into the area designated for preparing high-risk, ready-to-eat foods such as salad. The staff acknowledged that this problem had persisted for over three months. This establishment was under closure order from the 15th to the 18th of April.
At the Moore Street Mall’s Georgian Delight, Kitchen 3 in Dublin 1, the inspection team discovered traces of a mouse and cockroach infestation including a live rodent trapped and signs of cockroaches around food prep areas, atop a refrigerator and under an oven. The Food Standards Agency of Ireland did not disclose the date of rescinding the closure order.
A concurrent, ongoing infestation of cockroaches pointed to a closure order being issued for another establishment in the Moore Street Mall, Sabor Nordestino. The date for the lifting of this closure order was not available.
Additional venues located within the Moore Street Mall, as well as along the street, also received closure orders.
Over in Clonsilla, Dublin 15, the Ballsy Baker on St Mochtas Lawn was served with a closure order pertaining to the claims of certain food products being ‘Nut Free’ and ‘Gluten Free’. The premises, with its limited space, was found to store ingredients for food products claiming to be ‘nut free’ and ‘gluten free’ alongside other ingredients containing tree nuts, peanuts, and gluten. This closure order was enforced on the 11th of April and discarded on the 23rd.
The Fresh establishment at Capital Dock in Dublin 2 was issued with a closure notice. The reason cited by the inspectors was detection of rodents and unsatisfactory pest control measures. The establishment was closed from April 16th till the 18th.
Other establishments closed during April are:
1. Ginger Lillies Chinese Restaurant – 18 Mulgrave Street, Limerick
2. Takeaway service at Medina Kebab (Lets Eat) – 329 Blarney Street, Cork
3. Georgian Delight’s kitchen services – Kitchen 3, 58-66 Parnell Street, Moore Street Mall, Dublin 1
4. Sabor Nordestino – 58-66 Parnell Street, Moore Street Mall, Dublin 1
5. Spicy Bite – Unit 1, Moore Mall, Dublin 1
6. Retailer Mroz – Moore Street Mall, Dublin 1
7. Smaczne. Go! – Moore Street Mall, 58/66 Parnell Street, North City, Dublin 1
8. D Candy Retailers – Main Street, Roscommon
9. Uptown Restaurant – Old Milk Market Lane, Killarney, Kerry
10. Payless Grocery & Meat – 46 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
11. Bites By Kwanghi – Capital Dock, 83 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
12. Musashi Noodles and Sushi – 15 Capel Street, Dublin 1
13. All Bar Chicken’s kitchen and storage areas – 47 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
14. Fortune Terrace – 46-49 O’Connell Street Upper, Dublin 1
15. Chicking – Unit 3, O’Boyce’s Corner, Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
16. Fresh at 4-5 Stephens Walk, Dublin 2
The Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, located on Killiney Hill Road in Killiney, Co. Dublin, has temporarily closed operations in certain areas. These include Albert & Behan Kitchen, PJ’s Kitchen and Mapas Kitchen, but the bar remains open for drinks.
Moreover, Cafe Brazil, a retail store situated at 63 Thomas Street in Dublin 8, is also listed.
The Ballsy Baker, at 10 St Mochtas Lawn in Clonsilla, Dublin 15, has halted specific procedures including the preparation, production, and sale of food products claiming to be ‘Nut Free’ and ‘Gluten Free’. Internet sites or social media sites operated by the retailer promoting these claims are also included in this restriction.
Also included on the list is Oriental Pantry, a retail outlet located at 22-23 Moore Street, Dublin 1.
Finally, Pastel King, a restaurant/cafe also found at 22-23 Moore Street in Dublin 1, is indicated.