'Filthy with dirt' - Popular Letterkenny takeaway forced to close following HSE inspection

A popular takeaway in Letterkenny has been forced to shut it's doors after a HSE inspection found several food contamination risks.

A closure order was served to Mr Monir Hossain of The Momo House, East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, county Donegal, on September 10, 2025, following the inspection where an authorised officer from the HSE found raw and cooked foods stored improperly, no available hot water on the premises, and surfaces "filthy with dirt and grease".

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The closure order directed the business to close it's doors and cease trading immediately following the inspection.

In the officers report, evidence of non-compliance to legislation included:

• There was no hot water to the wash hand basin in the kitchen or in the staff toilet.
  There was no materials for cleaning hands or no materials for hygienic drying at the wash hand basin in the kitchen nor at the wash hand basin in the staff toilet.
• There was no hot water supply to the food equipment sink.

The absence of a hot water supply and materials for cleaning and drying hands prevents effective handwashing, increasing the risk of contamination of food.

Further evidence of non-compliance:

• The ceiling, walls and floors of the food preparation, cooking areas were not clean as there was significant accumulations of grease, dirt and old food residues.
• Sinks designated for washing food equipment had a build-up of dirt and old food.
• Touch surfaces/points such as light switches and plug sockets were filthy with dirt and grease

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• All food surfaces were ingrained with dirt and old food
• The shelving in the front serving area were not clean
• Raw chicken was being stored next to cooked chicken in the food storage fridge and it was stored above ready to eat foods including sauces.
• Wall paint, a hazardous non-food item, was stored on the food contact surface beside the cooking station.
• No sanitiser or disinfection cleaning chemicals were available
• Dirty cleaning cloths and sponges were being used to clean food contact surfaces

The officer noted that food was not protected against contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, injurious to health or contaminated in such a way that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be consumed in that state.

Further investigation of the premises found refrigerators were not at the correct temperatures, staff were not trained properly in food hygiene matters, excessive amounts of waste, and microwaves ingrained with food and dirt.

The premises has ceased trading since September 10. You can read the full report here.