Popular takeaway in Leitrim forced to close after HSE inspector found 'rodent activity'

A popular takeaway in Leitrim was forced to shut it's doors last month after an inspection from the HSE found evidence of active rodent activity in the premises.

Big Johns located at Main Street Upper, Mohill, county Leitrim was ordered to close on November 20, 2025, after the inspector said the premises "poses a grave and immediate risk to public health," and adequate procedures were not in place to control pests.

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In the report, the inspector stated that pest control records dated November 18, 2025, identified rodent activity within the premises in the sluice room, and in all of the external bait boxes. A follow up pest control inspection was scheduled by the pest control technician within 7 days.

The premises remained open and continued to trade despite confirmation of an active pest infestation.

On inspection on November 19, 2025, the Environmental Health Officer noted disturbance of bait in bait boxes in the sluice room adjacent to the food production area.

Disturbance by pests was also noted in two additional internal boxes, one of which was located under a food preparation sink in the food production area, the other in the corridor outside the food production area.

Externally, there was ponding of a grey sludge - like material from the discharge pipe leading from the potato preparation area, which may serve as an attractant for pests.

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The premises was inadequately pest proofed as there was no cover provided to the internal floor drain in the potato preparation area. Additionally the window of the sluice room above the external discharge pipe was open without a pest - proof screen.

Rodents are known to carry a range of harmful food pathogens (including Salmonella) which they spread via droppings, urine, saliva and on their bodies. On the evidence of recent and ongoing activity in the food production area, this poses a grave and immediate risk to public health.

Big John's was ordered to close on November 20 and subsequently reopened on November 21, 2025.