Well-known Dublin bar and restaurant Pygmalion was shut down by food safety inspectors last month after a live rodent and rat droppings were discovered.
The popular venue was one of seven businesses to be closed by inspectors in May.
Inspectors warned that there were not enough procedures in place to control pests and “a live rodent and fresh droppings were sighted in site”.
As a result, they said there was a serious risk of food being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, likely to render the food unfit for human consumption”.
The HSE has confirmed that the closure order against the business was lifted on June 2nd.
In all seven businesses were served closure orders by the inspectors.
Four were closed completely:
- Pygmalion Public House, William Street South, Dublin 2
- Go Go Pizza and Kebab, Whitemill Road, Wexford
- HG Ritchie Limited (manufacturer), Inchicore, Dublin 8
- Mart Café, Raphoe Mart, Derry Road, Raphoe, Co. Donegal
Three were closed partially:
- Sillis Green Veg, Co. Monaghan – “Closed activities: The use of sodium metabisulphite in the dipping process and production of foodstuffs.”
- Milne Foods Limited, Syngefield Industrial Estate, Birr, Co. Offaly – “Closed activities: processing of all ready-to-eat foods on the premises.”
- Golden Beach Supermarket, Parnell Street, Dublin 1 – “Closed Activities: The preparation and serving of food in the ground floor kitchen and service area. The slicing and/or packing of food products in basement storeroom.”
Meanwhile, one Prohibition Order was also served:
- Bullet Duck & Dumpling (restaurant/café), 27 Mary Street Little, Dublin 7
FSAI Chief Executive Dr Pamela Byrne said that it was disappointing to see such disregard for consumer health in these food businesses.
“It is simply unacceptable that some food businesses across Ireland continue to operate without fully adhering to food safety and hygiene legislation,” she said.
“In particular, multiple occurrences in Enforcement Orders issued in May show a complete lack of adequate procedures in place to control pests. Consumers of food in Ireland have a right to safe food and hygienic food premises.”
Full details of the Enforcement Orders are published here.
