Two abbatoirs closed over health risk fears

Two abattoirs were closed by the Food Safety Authority (FSAI) in July because of a serious risk to public health.

Liam Nicholl’s abattoir in Clones, Co Monaghan was served with a closure order and Liam Nicholl’s butcher in Clones received a prohibition order.

Veterinary officers in Cavan County Council closed Barney Connolly’s abattoir in Stradone, Co Cavan.

A Prohibition Order, which bans the sale of a product or products, was also served on Goslin's Public House in Gorey, Co Wexford.

However, latest monthly report was welcomed by the FSAI’s Mr Peter Whelan, who said it was heartening to see a decline in the number of Enforcement Orders served in July 2002 compared with the same month the previous year.

"Irish food businesses are beginning to realise that the future of their businesses lies in their own hands," he said.

Improvement orders were issued by the District Court and served by officers of the FSAI on three Dublin premises including; The Eden Gate Lodge, Rathfarnham; Fusciardai’s take-away, Terenure; and Betta Buy Ltd, Crumlin.

Closure and improvement orders remain on the FSAI website for three months from when a business is judged to be in compliance.

The decision to "name and shame" companies which have not complied with improvement orders was introduced in August last year.