Health board to sue over poisoning case

The owners of a Chinese take-away restaurant in Dublin are to be prosecuted by the regional health board following an investigation into the poisoning of 37 of its customers.

The Golden Times in suburban Blakestown closed last October following two outbreaks of salmonella within a fortnight.

In the first outbreak, 11 people were taken to hospital for treatment.

Salmonella poisoning was identified, with eggs from a non-control area the suspected cause, according to the health board.

The restaurant was then allowed to reopen, but a second outbreak occurred within days and 26 more people were affected.

The health board refused to identify the cause of the second outbreak, pending legal action against the owners, Golden Times Ltd.

This month Dublin Circuit Court approved a settlement of IR£4,500 (£3,518) by the insurers for Golden Times to one of the victims, a five-year-old girl who suffered gastroenteritis after eating part of a take-away.

Up to 80 people are believed to have lodged civil claims for compensation against the restaurant.