A rat carcass was discovered near the kitchen of a west Dublin buffet restaurant, according to a closure order issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The closure order was served to Sheela Palace Buffet Restaurant at the Liffey Valley Complex, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, after inspectors identified evidence of rodent activity on the premises.
According to inspection findings, pest control officers discovered rat droppings throughout the building and reported that "a rat carcass was also found and removed from an area near the kitchen".
Inspectors also noted disturbance to bait placed in one of the pest control boxes located beside a mobile salad fridge in the main food production area, alongside additional rat droppings.
The closure order was issued on May 7 and remained in place until May 15, after the issues identified by inspectors had been addressed.
The findings were revealed as part of the FSAI's monthly enforcement report, which showed that seven closure orders were issued across Ireland during May.
Among the businesses affected was The Hole in the Wall Pub on Blackhorse Avenue in Cabra, Dublin, which received a closure order relating to the storage, preparation and service of food.
Inspectors found what was described as a significant quantity of dried rat and mouse droppings throughout the premises, including in storage rooms where food products and food-related items were kept.
The droppings were discovered near bottles of coffee syrup, boxes of straws, biscuits and crisps, as well as ready-to-eat products including granola and brownies. Additional evidence of rodent activity was found in a pot wash room, freezers and an unused bathroom.
The inspector stated: "There was a poor culture of food safety within the premises."
They added: "Staff and management did not show an awareness of food safety hazards and the importance of food safety, hygiene and pest control."
Elsewhere, Mace on the Slane Road in Meath was issued with a closure order after inspectors found inadequate pest control procedures and evidence of possible rodent activity.
Animal hair was found on a pallet used to store food-contact packaging, while pieces of cardboard had been gnawed and shredded. Inspectors also noted holes in the walls of a prefab storage area and said parts of the structure were in disrepair, with sections of the ceiling having collapsed.
A food retailer operating from Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, also received a closure order after inspectors found several ready-to-eat high-risk foods being stored above the legally required temperature limits.
Meanwhile, Shapla Indian Spice was ordered to close after inspectors observed a food handler preparing raw chicken while wearing disposable gloves before wiping the gloves on a dirty cloth and then handling dough without washing their hands or changing gloves.
The FSAI said closure orders are issued where there is, or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health.
