Popular Indian restaurant shut after cockroaches discovered on premises

Show summary Hide summary

• Inspectors find widespread pest problem
• Other closure orders issued in July
• FSAI warns businesses must meet basic standards

A Dublin restaurant was temporarily shut last month after Food Safety Authority inspectors found widespread evidence of pests in its kitchen, prompting fears the food could be contaminated. The closure was one of 11 orders issued by the FSAI in July across several counties.

Inspectors find widespread pest problem

Diwali, located on South Great Georges Street in Dublin 2, received a closure order in July after an FSAI inspection uncovered what the report described as a significant problem with rodents and insects in food-preparation areas. The inspector recorded a clear cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen.

The report states: “There was evidence of significant cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen food preparation areas.” It added: “Multiple dead cockroaches were also noted throughout kitchen food preparation areas.” The inspector concluded these findings posed a “serious risk of food being contaminated.” The premises reopened on August 7.

Other closure orders issued in July

Alongside Diwali, the FSAI served closure orders on a range of outlets after finding conditions that could threaten public health.

• The Village Shop & Takeaway, Mountbolus, Offaly — waste was overflowing into a room used to store food-contact equipment beside a preparation area.
• Babylon Restaurant (Take Away), Clonmel, Tipperary — a dead rodent was discovered behind equipment near food in an upstairs kitchen.
• Canteen Street Food (mobile unit), Damastown Park, Damastown Road, Parslickstown, Dublin 15 — closed by order.
• India Dining (Restaurant/Café), Church Street, Wicklow — also served a closure order.
• Roots Health Food, stall trading at Salthill & Monkstown DART Station, Monkstown, Blackrock, Dublin — temporarily shut in July.

FSAI warns businesses must meet basic standards

Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, described the enforcement actions as troubling. “The issues identified in these Enforcement Orders are deeply concerning and demonstrate serious failures in basic food safety controls,” he said.

He added that inspectors repeatedly encounter shortcomings in essential systems: “We continue to see cases where essential requirements, including effective cleaning, pest control, safe food handling practices, staff training and food safety management systems, are not being properly implemented.” Mr Dempsey stressed the legal obligation on food businesses: “These are not optional measures; they are legal requirements that every food business must have in place to protect consumers.” He warned that where these standards are not met and public health is at risk, enforcement action will continue to be taken.