Mother who died after salmonella outbreak at Communion party
AN INQUIRY has been launched following the death of a mother of one from suspected salmonella poisoning, after a meal at a First Holy Communion celebration.
The HSE and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have launched a joint investigation into a suspected outbreak of food poisoning at a Dublin pub.
The funeral of the deceased, a mother in her 50s, will take place today. Tributes have poured in for tragic Sandra O’Brien, from River Valley, Swords, north Co. Dublin, who died suddenly on Sunday at her home after she had attended a First Holy Communion meal with members of her family.
It is believed Mrs O’Brien, who was found dead by her husband on Sunday evening, had underlying medical conditions.
Other members of her family are understood to have suffered bouts of sickness around the same time and were treated for salmonella poisoning.
An investigation into the matter is now under way, involving the HSE and the FSAI.
The private party had taken place at O’Dwyer’s Pub and Restaurant in Portmarnock, north Co. Dublin. Flanreil Food Services Ltd, which has a registered address in Fairview Strand, north Dublin, has the franchise to provide food at the pub and also offers an off-site catering service.
Attempts by the Irish Daily Mail to reach the company yesterday were unsuccessful.
O’Dwyer’s Pub and Restaurant was served with a closure order by the FSAI and the HSE last Friday. When contacted, a staff member said they could not comment on the matter.
In a statement, the HSE said: ‘The Health Service Executive is investigating an outbreak of food poisoning due to salmonella in north Dublin and is liaising with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
‘An outbreak control team has been formed and an investigation is ongoing. Members of the public should contact their GP if they have any concerns regarding their health.’
Meanwhile, the FSAI said: ‘The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is liaising with the Health Service Executive regarding an investigation into a recent food poisoning outbreak due to salmonella in north Dublin.
‘The investigation is in its early stages and while it is currently focusing on a catering company, Flanreil Food Services Ltd., the source and cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
‘A closure order was served by the Health Service Executive on May 19 on the kitchen and associated storage facilities occupied by Flanreil Food Services Ltd in O’Dwyers Public House, Strand Road, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. The investigation is ongoing and there is no further update at this time.’
In a series of messages posted on its Facebook page, O’Dwyer’s Pub and Restaurant said: ‘It is with regret we inform all our loyal customers that due an unforeseen health scare we must temporarily close to work closely with the Health Service Executive. We will keep you posted and apologise for any inconveniences this may have caused.
‘We thank you for your continued loyalty and support.’
Mrs O’Brien, who was a keen runner, was described yesterday by neighbours and friends as a kind person who always had time to listen to others. One friend said: ‘She was just a beautiful person, someone you could always get along with. She was so kind and loving, we are just completely shocked’.
Another said: ‘I’m just in total shock, she was the loveliest person you could meet my heart goes out to her son and husband and all her family’.
The deceased was involved in the running group Sloggers To Joggers, which paid a heartfelt tribute to her on Facebook yesterday.
Alongside a series of images of Mrs O’Brien running and socialising with her friends, the group posted the message: ‘Sloggers 2 joggers is so much more then a running group, we are a family, we are sisters. That old saying “you don’t choose your family” it doesn’t apply to us – we all chose to be a slogger, we all choose this family.
‘It is with heartbreaking regret that I write this post to say we have lost a sister. Sandra you will always be a slogger and we will always be your family. We love you and send our deepest condolences to your husband, son, family and friends. Keep on running.’
Hundreds of comments were posted on social media yesterday paying tribute to the deceased.
One message said: ‘Beautiful Woman. Rest in peace Sandra. Hope there’s lots of happy miles in
‘She was the loveliest person’
the next life.’
Another said: ‘Heartbroken, Sandra rest in peace my beautiful friend. U will forever b in my heart. Love & miss u so much. Keep running.’
And the River Valley Park Run group posted a message on Facebook, saying: ‘We are very saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Sandra O’Brien this week. Sandra had a huge passion for running.
‘We have had so many kind words about her from her friends in the Sloggers to Joggers and know that she will be deeply missed by all.’
Mrs O’Brien’s funeral Mass will take place today in St Finian’s Church, River Valley at 11am followed by a burial at Fingal Cemetery, Balgriffin.