Two illegal slaughterhouses in Co Cavan were closed for breaches of food safety legislation in July, according to new figures.
Dr John O'Brien, FSAI
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said five closure orders were served on food businesses throughout the State last month.
Veterinary inspectors from Cavan County Council ordered the closure of businesses operated by Desmond Keyes, Mullanacre Lower, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, and John D Keyes, Droghill, Belturbet, Cavan, for the operation of "unofficial slaughterhouses", the FSAI said.
A spokeswoman confirmed that the slaughterhouses were illegal - not licensed by the local authority.
Environmental health officers also served closure orders on Jack Ban's Take Away, Main Street, Kilcar, Co Donegal, and O'Connor's Restaurant, 10 Merchant Square, Ennis, Co Clare.
In Dublin, a closure order was served on Peng Lai Chinese Grocery, 101 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
FSAI chief executive Dr John O'Brien expressed disappointment that five closure orders had been served in July and he warned the food industry that "such flouting of the law" would not be tolerated.
"Due to increased temperatures during these months, food businesses must exercise the utmost vigilance to ensure best hygiene practices are maintained. Closure orders are only served in circumstances where there are serious legal infringements and standards have fallen so low that consumer health has been put at risk."
