Dropping like flies Senator in DNA plea for sex attackers Insects and filthy conditions lead to restaurant closures
A FIANNA Fail senator yesterday said it is vital anyone convicted of a sexual offence gives a DNA sample.
Lorraine Clifford-lee insisted offenders who have not yet provided their mandatory sample should be urgently tracked down by gardai.
It was reported only 1,292 of the 2,000 people convicted and listed on the sex offenders’ register in Ireland have provided a DNA sample.
Senator Clifford-lee said: “The State has a responsibility to protect citizens from those found guilty of a sexual offence and to make sure they are registered and monitored.” A HIGH volume of live and dead flies were among reasons given for eight closure orders on food premises last month.
Other health hazards uncovered by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland included dirty staff toilets, grease dripping from an extraction canopy onto a dishwasher and cooling records not maintained for foods ahead of service.
The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the HSE and veterinary inspectors in local authorities.
Four closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
■ Little Italy takeaway, Irish Street, Bunclody, Co Wexford. It was lifted after four days on June 15.
■ India’s Taste takeaway, Bridgewater Hall, 17-19 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1. Order was lifted on June 28, nine days after it was served.
■ Roshan Restaurant and Takeaway, Unit 8, Besser Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – closure order lifted a week later on June 29, and
■ Sal’s restaurant, Main Street, Borris-in-ossory, Co Laois, order lifted three days later on June 25.
At India’s Taste, FSAI officers found evidence of a rodent infestation – including mouse droppings and empty bait boxes.
DIRTY
At Roshan Restaurant officers found “very dirty” conditions and a “very poor standard of basic hygiene and cleanliness”.
Meanwhile, another four closure orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:
■ Andrews takeaway, at Main Street, Shankill, Co Dublin - lifted after three days on June 8.
■ Sheerans Pub (preparation and service of food), Coolrain, Mountrath, Co Laois.
■ Lyndon’s Kitchen Food Business (restaurant/ café), Main Street, Balla, Co Mayo.
■ Just Baked (storeroom adjacent to the bakery), Barcastle Industrial Estate, Springfield Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Several areas of the kitchen at Andrews takeaway were found to be in a “filthy condition”.
FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne said by not complying with food safety legislation businesses were putting consumer health at risk.
She added: “It is disappointing to see such a high number of orders for a second month.
“Businesses must recognise they are legally bound to ensure the food they serve is safe.
“We would also urge food businesses to check their fridges are not impacted by the hot weather and to monitor temperatures.
“They must ensure they have a robust food safety management system to ensure noncompliance issues and breaches of food safety legislation do not occur.”