Lismore Golf Club restaurant served closure order due to rat droppings in kitchen area

The restaurant/café of Lismore Golf Club has been served a closure order owing to evidence of pests in the premises.

During inspection, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) found visual sighting of rat droppings in a kitchen cupboard adjacent to a rat trap. It was noted that there was no bait on the rat trap. The rat trap was surrounded by rat droppings.

The FSAI report states: “Adequate procedures were not in place to control pests resulting in a grave and immediate danger to public health. When rats gain access to food or food preparation surfaces, they create a serious risk of contamination, which can compromise food safety.

The premises was served with the order on January 20, 2025. It was subsequently lifted on January 30.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, reiterated that the legal onus is on food businesses to ensure they fully comply with food safety legislation at all times:

"Food businesses have a fundamental legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat.

She added that the the Enforcement Orders served across the country in January "highlight unacceptable breaches of food safety legislation, including inadequate pest control, poor hygiene standards, and a lack of proper food traceability.

"These non-compliances pose a serious risk to consumer health and also undermine confidence in the food industry.

"It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations. The law is clear, food safety is not optional, and food businesses that fail to comply will face enforcement action."