Rodents and Cockroaches Force Closures at Multiple Irish Food Premises, Including Lidl in Glenageary

A Lidl supermarket in Glenageary, Co Dublin, was among ten premises shut down by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month after inspectors uncovered serious hygiene breaches — including rodent droppings in several areas of the store. The Lidl branch, located on Sallynoggin Road, was issued a closure order following what inspectors described as a “grave and immediate danger to food safety.” Droppings were found behind a food display unit, beside a freezer, and in a storeroom. In a statement, Lidl said it acted immediately upon learning of “the presence of a rodent” in the store, closing the premises voluntarily. The company said it worked closely with the HSE and a pest control service to carry out a full inspection, deep clean, sanitation, and pest-proofing before reopening. The store has since passed a reinspection and resumed trading. Other high-profile closures last month included the kitchen of the Brandon Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry, where inspectors discovered a “significant cockroach infestation” at all stages of its life cycle. All food preparation and service areas, including the restaurant, dry goods store, and staff canteen, were ordered shut. In Co Meath, a storage unit at Emerald Park — located behind its ‘Coffee Dock’ outlet — was also closed after rodent droppings were found. The unit stored food items like candy floss as well as reusable cups and lids. Creed’s Foodstore in Burncourt, Cahir, Co Tipperary, was similarly closed under the FSAI Act. Meanwhile, six other businesses were served with closure orders under EU food hygiene regulations. These included Londis in Athboy (Co Meath), KRS Catering Stall in Clonmel (Co Tipperary), Hidden Dojo Asian Street Food and Wakami Sushi & Asian (both in Phibsborough, Dublin 7), and Costa Coffee on Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Dr Bernard Heraghty, the FSAI’s Director of Enforcement and Policy, told RTÉ News at One that such a number of high-profile closures was “relatively unusual” and stressed that food businesses are legally obliged to ensure safe food, hygienic premises, and properly trained staff. He explained that closures often result from issues such as pest control failures or inadequate temperature management. Businesses can reopen once problems are rectified and the HSE confirms compliance during a reinspection. FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey described the incidents as a “stark reminder” for food operators to maintain the highest hygiene standards, saying the breaches recorded last month were “serious and preventable.”