RTÉ may have thought that this week could not get any worse, but the broadcaster's campus rodents have not been so sympathetic.
The subsidised main canteen available to RTÉ staff has been forced to close its doors for the second time this year because of a significant presence of rodents.
In an RTÉ message to staff, the broadcaster said: "The main restaurant was not opened this morning due to evidence of rodent activity."
Read More: Rattier Telefís Eireann - RTE canteen shut down because of rodent fears
Staff were informed that the canteen will remain closed while the issue is "fully investigated" and that they can alternatively get meals from three other RTÉ restaurants: Radio, Oasis and Bite.
Following the first closure in January, RTÉ reported that controls had been implemented to prevent rodent infestations "which can occur from time to time, particularly due to building or other works" which had been underway on the Montrose site in Donnybrook.
Those controls do not seem to have done the trick as the station's furry neighbours have once again cheesed off staff by scurrying into the main eatery to write one more embarrassing story for the broadcaster to contend with this week.
This is not the first year that RTÉ has been trapped by scandal related to rats and mice infestation.
In 2018, Ryan Tubridy revealed staff were on “high alert” after the radio centre became infested with rodents when building works were going on next door to the main Donnybrook campus.
"They've unearthed a lot of the ground near where our new neighbours, who we look forward to bringing over a bottle of wine and some cheese, or whatever people do when new neighbours move in, but maybe not the cheese," he said.
The latest closure comes in the week of Ryan Tubridy's appearance before an Oireachtas Committee over the RTÉ payment scandal which has dominated the news agenda in Ireland.
The scandal has led to a major shakeup in the station, demonstrated by the entire Executive Board being stood down by new Director General Kevin Bakhurst.
