Almost €100,000 in counterfeit notes seized in Kildare, Laois and Offaly Garda searches

Gardaí in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly carried out searches in recent days as a result of an increase of counterfeit currency being posted into Ireland.

One search was conducted and in excess of €94,000 of counterfeit currency was seized, in all denominations. A 20-year-old female was arrested at the scene but was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A second search was carried out and €5,000 of counterfeit currency was seized. A 21-year-old male was arrested; he was later charged and was remanded in custody.

"The tendering of counterfeit currency is rising and incidents of counterfeit / prop money being posted into Ireland are also rising. In many cases, business owners are detecting people using counterfeit €50 notes to buy small items," said the gardaí.

To check if a Euro note is genuine cash handlers and member of the public should FEEL, LOOK, TILT and CHECK the note;

Feel:
The note is made out of cotton and should feel crisp and firm.
The ink is raised, if you run your finger across the note the ink will feel thicker in parts.

Look:
Check for a security tread which will also state the numeral value of the note.
Hold the note against the light to see the watermark and the numeral value.

Tilt:
When you tilt the note you will see a hologram which will also show the value of the note.
On the back of the note the colour of the numeral value will change colour from purple to olive green to brown on the €50, €100, €200 or €500 notes.

Check:
Check the note under UV light, whereby small fibres embedded in the paper will illuminate.
Each note should have the signature of the President of the European Central Bank.
The value of the note appears in the watermark, the security thread, and in the hologram.

Gardaí wish to remind the public, and in particular business owners and their staff, to be on the lookout for counterfeit notes (not just €50 notes, but all denominations) and if presented to retain the note and contact Gardaí.