The High Court is to be asked on Monday to close down an Egyptian restaurant for allegedly obstructing health inspectors and failing to comply with Health Service hygiene demands.
Rossa Fanning, counsel for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, told Mr Justice Paul Gilligan that environmental health officers had been obstructed during hygiene inspections by Sameh Gouma, owner of El Sinbad restaurant on South Richmond Street in Dublin.
Mr Fanning said food safety inspectors had been unable to establish the level or extent to which there may or may not be a grave danger to public health.
Despite a closure notice being served on Mr Gouma, the restaurant continued to serve food and drinks. Mr Fanning said Charlene Kiely, an environmental health officer, was seeking an injunction prohibiting Mr Gouma and his staff from preparing or serving food and drinks on the premises. She would also be seeking an order directing El Sinbad's closure.
Judge Gilligan granted Ms Kiely permission to serve notice on Mr Gouma of her intention to seek closure and prohibition injunctions in the High Court on Monday.