A closure order was issued on a hotel in Tralee last month after evidence of a significant cockroach infestation was found.

This order required that part of the Brandon Hotel in Tralee be closed under food safety law.

The enforcement order was served on July 23rd and it was lifted two days later, on July 25th.

Radio Kerry has contacted the Brandon Hotel for comment.

The report published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland states that the enforcement orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the HSE.

They ordered the closure of all kitchen areas including the dry goods store, wash up areas, the staff canteen, restaurant and stills area of the Brandon Hotel on Prince’s Street, Tralee.

The report states there was evidence of a significant cockroach infestation at all stages of the life cycle, from nymph to adult, throughout the food premises.

The report says cockroaches are known to spread pathogens which can pose a risk to human health; they can contaminate food and food contact materials with harmful pathogens such as salmonella and ecoli.

The inspector noted that dead cockroaches were observed in the main kitchen where food is prepared, under cooking equipment where food is cooked and under service fridges where food is stored.

Dead cockroaches were also found in areas where food contact equipment and crockery was stored, as well as in the staff canteen and in the restaurant, while the report also notes that a live cockroach was seen in the restaurant.