Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo Shutterstock/COULANGES

Leinster House bosses were warned Dáil rats were stealing chocolate 6 weeks before bar shut

The bar shut for more than a week after a rat was spotted by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

LEINSTER HOUSE AUTHORITIES were warned six weeks before a rat forced the Dáil bar to close in July that rodents were stealing chocolate bars, and specialists were required to remove the “foul smell” of old nesting material behind the counter.

The bar shut for more than a week after a rat was spotted by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and it then evaded capture for three days.

However, internal records reveal that rodent activity had been detected in the main bar as early as 17 May, as well as in the kitchen prep area and in both the nearby ladies and gents toilets.

A pest control company wrote to Leinster House officials on 24 May, explaining that rodents were stealing snacks from behind the bar.

“Can you please advise bar management to keep all food off the lower units due to rats feeding on chocolate bars … which they are taking out of boxes and dragging in behind the kickboards,” they wrote.

The company also found “multiple holes and gaps” under the beer taps in the private bar, which they said should be filled in order “to stop anything running up in the pipes”.

New traps were set in the members’ area on 1 June, and one dead rodent was removed, according to pest control inspection reports released under the Freedom of Information Act.

On 9 July, the day on which rat was spotted, the pest control company found rats’ urine and droppings in the basement storage area, as well as in the ceiling void above the bar. This was identified as a safety hazard and disease risk for staff.

Some “pigeon fouling” was also discovered in the air-handling unit area of the Dáil bar, which required “urgent attention before this area is completely infested”, the pest controllers warned.

They also noted that “the smell of fouling in the gents toilets is a bit sickening”, but blamed this on pigeons relieving themselves in the adjacent courtyard.

The eventual capture of the Dáil rat on 11 July was recorded by the pest control company.

“OPW (Office of Public Works) found one live adult dazed rat … which they humanely killed and disposed of,” they said.

“Old rat droppings” were found underneath bar furniture the following day, while droppings were also discovered under the bar kitchen units on 16 July.

The bar re-opened on 17 July after additional traps that had been set in the seating areas were removed. Traps and monitors inside the bar remained in place and further follow-ups were scheduled, according to the reports.

A spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas said that Leinster House has a pest control system in place, as with other buildings of similar size, age and location.

“We work with the relevant authorities and procure the necessary services to ensure that matters are correctly handled and necessary procedures are in place,” she said.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 33 comments
Close
33 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nyal Maku
    Favourite Nyal Maku
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 10:40 AM

    This woman is a design icon and a national treasure, she produced a vast body of work across many design disciplines. The exhibition dedicated to her in the museum in Collins barracks is really worth viewing (it’s free too!).

    133
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Torrans
    Favourite Mick Torrans
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 10:46 AM

    Acknowledgement of her contribution to modernism, and design in general, is long over due but at least it has begun after decades. Fair play to Dr.Goff for all her work. My own LEGO tribute to E1027 sits proudly above the fireplace! https://instagram.com/p/60lMUOTHxg/

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Coles
    Favourite Coles
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 9:29 PM

    What? You’ve obviously just heard about her. Her work has been celebrated for generations.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Inanimate Carbon Rod
    Favourite Inanimate Carbon Rod
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 12:03 PM

    Love Eileen Grey, she was 50 years ahead of her time. Some day I wanna buy one of her Bibbendum chairs, they look really comfy

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan Eastwood
    Favourite Jonathan Eastwood
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 1:56 PM

    I seem to remember reading an article about one of her chairs selling for millions at auction. So obviously her work is still very relevant and beautiful to many people.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Gibson
    Favourite Pete Gibson
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 11:08 AM

    Dated arts-rubbish from a bye-gone age.
    There is a reason the arts cult of modernism is forgotten.
    It was boring rubbish.
    That tiger skin on the floor was supposed to be Chic.
    Nobody would design such horrible houses or interiors like that nowadays.
    (Dublin developers and designers just might do though.)

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alesis
    Favourite Alesis
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 2:24 PM

    Art deco stuff is still sought after. That chair above looks totally useless, but that’s often the point. betcha someone would pay a pretty penny for it.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anton Dec
    Favourite Anton Dec
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 9:52 PM

    You’re a silly little person aren’t you?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Nov 15th 2015, 2:30 PM

    Because… She was a woman?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Halpin
    Favourite Anthony Halpin
    Report
    Nov 16th 2015, 2:26 PM

    Ireland has a long tradition of ignoring it’s own talent, an inferiority complex borne of ignorance which continues to this day. Both AIB and Aer Lingus went outside of Ireland for the design of their logos. If you want money from the Arts Council, a non – Irish sounding name is a huge advantage (along with no talent, most of the time) This in a country which has a rich artistic heritage going back thousands of years (Book of Kells / Durrow etc.)

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds