Two Cork Food Businesses Closed by Health Inspectors in April Over Food Safety Breaches

Two Cork food businesses were among five premises served with closure orders by the Health Service Executive during April, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed.

A Rosscarbery restaurant and a Blackpool takeaway were among establishments closed following inspections that uncovered a range of serious food safety breaches.

The closures form part of a national enforcement action in which Environmental Health Officers served orders under both the FSAI Act 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020.

Lily House, a restaurant and café at 4 South Square, Rosscarbery, was served with a closure order on 24 April 2026 under the FSAI Act 1998. The order remained in force as of 12 May 2026. Inspectors found an active rodent infestation in the food storeroom and kitchen area, evidenced by rodent droppings in multiple areas including shelving units used to store food. The premises was not maintained in a clean condition, and the order stated that food produced there was likely contaminated with harmful pathogens, posing what inspectors described as a grave and immediate danger to public health.

Yama, a takeaway at 97 Gerald Griffin Street, Blackpool, Cork, was served with a closure order on 23 April 2026 under the EU food legislation regulations and reopened on 25 April 2026. Inspectors from the National Environmental Health Service found an accumulation of grease and food debris at the wok station, cobwebs and spider egg sacs in the rear preparation kitchen, mould growth and dampness on staff toilet walls, and a hole in the external yard door large enough to allow pest ingress. Allergen information on the takeaway menu and online ordering platforms was also found to be inaccurate, with soya and milk undeclared on certain menu items. The order cited persistent and historic non-compliances identified during previous inspections.

The remaining three orders in April were served on premises outside Cork: Empoli Restaurant in Swords, County Dublin; Doolys Fish and Chips at Waterford and Tramore Racecourse; and CraftCup Limited, a wholesaler in Sandyford, Dublin.

Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said:

"Every food business must have effective food safety management systems in place to ensure that food is stored, prepared and served safely. Cleanliness, pest control, proper staff training and food traceability are fundamental requirements and are essential to protecting public health. Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the food they provide to consumers is safe to eat."

Mr Dempsey added:

"We strongly encourage food businesses to continuously improve their food safety standards via regular training, availing of our free online learning portal, as well as promoting a strong culture of food safety within their businesses."