Dublin takeaway shut over leaky toilet and unsafe food conditions

Foul water, leaking from a defective toilet pipe and bowl, was observed on the floor during inspection before it spread through the kitchen. File picture

A takeaway in Dublin was ordered to close after a leaky toilet led to unsafe food preparation conditions.

Quack N Wok on Maylor Street Lower, Dublin, was served with a closure order under EU legislation on December 8 by the FSAI.

Foul water, leaking from a defective toilet pipe and bowl, was observed on the floor during inspection before it spread through the kitchen via the feet and clothing of staff. The same water was also found spurting from the wash hand basin into a nearby food preparation counter.

The inspector said the drainage system was "not adequate and malfunctioning" and likely to contaminate food and equipment with pathogenic bacteria, rendering it "unfit for human consumption."

Food being produced at the time was "likely unsafe," with chicken and duck potentially contaminated with foul water and faecal matter via the hands and clothing of food handlers. 

The inspector also noted that the chef cleaned up foul water while wearing food worker clothing. The premises has not yet reopened.

A second premises, Sasaki Sushi in Stoneybatter, Dublin, was also ordered to close under EU legislation on December 8. Inspectors found raw fish, purchased for sushi and sashimi, left in a hand basin after delivery, with no temperature monitoring records maintained.

"The fish was destroyed under supervision upon inspection," the report said. Inspectors also flagged rice that may have been exposed to temperature abuse, creating a risk of foodborne illness, particularly from Bacillus cereus. The premises has not yet reopened.

Another closure order was served on Ruby’s Cakes in Navan, Co Meath, on December 11 after an active mouse infestation was found. 

Inspectors noted numerous mouse droppings on food storage and floors, with food, contact materials, and surfaces unprotected from rodents. The order was lifted on December 15. The restaurant has not yet reopened.

Four other closure orders were served under EU legislation. 

• Taha Butchers, 13 Railway Street, Navan, Meath (rear food and equipment storage; not yet lifted) 
• Centra, Main Street, Killenaule, Tipperary (deli area; order lifted December 8) 
• Selera Space, Sandyford Central, Dublin 18 (unregistered; not yet lifted) 
• EB Food Essentials, Coolanagh, Ballickmoyler, Laois (unregistered; not yet lifted) 

One closure order was served under the FSAI Act 1998:

• Crosfield (wholesaler/distributor), Unit 4 Bymac Centre, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 (not yet lifted) 

One prohibition order was served under EU legislation:

• Dublin Herbalists (Food Supplements), Carrick Street, Mullinahone, Tipperary

127 Enforcement orders served in 2025

In 2025, a total of 127 enforcement orders were served across Ireland, including 102 closure orders, 23 prohibition orders, and 2 improvement orders. This was a 4.5% decrease from 2024, when 132 orders were issued.

Chief Executive of the FSAI, Greg Dempsey, said it is "disappointing" to see enforcement action necessary due to fundamental breaches such as pest infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe food storage, inadequate staff training, and missing food safety management systems.

"Additionally, we have found instances of unregistered food businesses operating illegally without notifying the competent authority, therefore bypassing essential food safety controls and putting consumers' health at risk," Mr Dempsey added.