University Hospital Galway has closed its kitchens after a dead mouse was discovered during a routine inspection.
A statement issued on behalf of the hospital said that during the inspection last Thursday, bait was found to have "been interfered with close to the kitchen facilities".
A deep clean was carried out and when a further inspection was carried out on Sunday, "a single dead mouse was found".
The hospital described it as an isolated incident and said all inspections since Sunday have been clear.
Following advice from the Health Service Executive's environmental health team, food preparation has been moved to the kitchens at Merlin Park University Hospital to ensure there would be no impact on patients or staff at UHG.
Works are being undertaken at the kitchens in UHG so that full catering can resume there as soon as possible.
The statement, issued by the Saolta University Health Care Group, said: "Galway University Hospitals has an ongoing programme of pest control across both its sites (University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital) and has a significant level of pest control measures in place.
"This is an important programme as many of the buildings on both campuses were constructed originally in the 1950s.
"Our priority is to ensure the highest environmental standards while minimising the impact on our patients".
