AN award-winning restaurant was convicted yesterday of breaches of hygiene regulations and fined £300 at a sitting of Galway District Court.
Barna Restaurants Ltd, Co Galway, trading as Donnellys of Barna, Seafood Restaurant and Bar, was found to be in breach of three sections of food hygiene regulations following a visit to the premises by a health inspector in September.
The inspector, Mr Michael Mulcahy, told the court that he found dead flies around lights and deposits of grease and grime in parts of the kitchen. Its walls were stained while there was no soap in the only wash basin. Some shelves in a fridge were chipped and rusted. The restaurant had received three warnings since 1990 but a big improvement was recorded in a recent visit.
The restaurant had been inspected at the end of a busy tourist season, according to Mr Michael Ryan, defending solicitor.
Judge John Garavan said people in the restaurant trade had to be vigilant, and in addition to the fines ordered that £180 be paid in witnesses' expenses.