O’Brien’s outlet ordered to close over health fears

FOOD safety officials closed a snack bar in Dublin’s prestigious St Stephen’s Green shopping centre last month over public health fears.

O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bar, which occupies unit 116 on the first floor of the city centre shopping hall, was ordered to close on October 16. Boss Mark Smartt was served with the closure order by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), which allowed the premises to reopen six days later.

Yesterday, the FSAI also revealed a closure order was served on the main kitchen at the Carlton Abbey Hotel in Athy town centre, Co Kildare, on October 23 and lifted after three days.

The FSAI serves closure notices on food businesses when officials believe public health is or is likely to be in grave and immediate danger.

FSAI chief executive John O’Brien yesterday said food businesses need to comply with food safety legislation.

“Every business along the food chain has to play its part if consumers are to be reassured that their interests are placed first and shoddy practices are eradicated.

“We operate a stringent policy and food businesses must adhere to the legislation — otherwise there will be consequences.

“The message is clear: We simply cannot afford to compromise when it comes to food safety,” he said

The FSAI also closed the kitchen, locker room and a dry store at the Ba Mizu restaurant at unit 19 of Dublin’s Powerscourt Townhouse Centre between October 12 and 25. The business was also ordered to withdraw soft and alcoholic drinks.

The FSAI revealed it had served three other legal orders on food premises last month.

An improvement order was served on Denis Corduff, giving him until December 10 to put right the grocery section of the Ferry Bar and Grocery in Rossport, Ballina, Co Mayo.

Simpson’s Supermarket in Cardonagh, Lifford, Co Donegal, and Camillus Cleary butchers in Killucan, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, were ordered to withdraw beef containing spinal cord from cattle aged more than 24 months.