RTÉ spent €5,400 on pest inspections with rats spotted on Fair City set

Ken Foxe

RTÉ has had a spate of pest problems this year with rats and mice sighted in the creche, the main canteen, the wardrobe department, and even on the Fair City set.

The broadcaster has faced an ongoing battle against four-legged invaders on its sprawling Dublin 4 complex with €5,400 spent on checks and inspections over the past 12 months.

Last December, exterminators were called in after a “reported mouse sighting” in the campus creche, according to inspection logs.

A report said the area was inspected and treated and that a follow-up visit would take place within 10 days.

In February, there were further problems at the creche when there was “reported mouse droppings in the kitchen".

On the same day, another report came in from the second floor of the RTÉ library building where “one dead mouse was removed from the premises".

A follow-up inspection warned that there was a large gap under the main doors of the library, which might have been the cause of the problem.

A report said: “Bristle strips are advised as it prevents easy access for rodents.

“All fly units cleaned and maintained, and new sticky boards fitted and found to be in good working order."

In late March, Rentokil were called out after a “mouse sighting” in the main canteen.

All monitoring points were inspected and showed no signs of “lingering activity,” but two new special mouse-catching RADAR units were installed as a precaution.

Follow-up inspections on the canteen and other food areas of RTÉ showed no further activity, according to records.

During April, an exterminator twice found evidence of rodent activity at a rubbish compactor area, although a follow-up later that month said the problem had been resolved.

One of the reports said: “Area was inspected, further rodent activity found at the waste management area and Fair City set.”

Other pest problems included rodent droppings in a wardrobe washing area with “old rat droppings” found following a deeper investigation.

A spokesman said RTÉ had an ongoing contract for regular checks and inspections and where rodent activity is suspected, appropriate treatment is applied and follow-up calls arranged.

He said: “A small number of isolated minor occurrences of rodent activity have been identified over the past 12 months on RTÉ's Donnybrook Campus. In these cases, Rentokil inspected and treated the relevant area. There has been no disruption to RTÉ's operations during this period.

“RTÉ's Main Canteen is under new management and will re-open to staff on Saturday 7th June, following an interim period to allow the new contractor to establish its operations.”