Couple fined for using fake €20 note

A couple went into a flower shop with a counterfeit €20 note to pay for a small item and while the woman confessed to the crime, her husband claimed he knew nothing about the fake note.

Angela Maguire, aged 20, pleaded guilty to producing the forged currency at the flower shop in Ballinhassig, Co Cork. However, her husband, Martin Maguire, aged 21, who was with her at the time, denied knowing that it was a forgery, and he opted to go on trial at Cork District Court yesterday.

Detective Garda Seán Minihane testified that the Maguires, from 44 St Michael’s Lawn, Mahon, Cork, went into the shop and bought a small item, and received more than €18 in change. Inspector Gary McPolin said the two defendants operated by way of common design to get the value of the €20 forgery.

Ms Maguire said through her solicitor, Shane Collins-Daly, that she sold a phone online and was paid in €20 notes. Mr Collins-Daly said it was only some time afterwards that she discovered that she had been paid in forged €20s.

Judge Olann Kelleher convicted and fined her €200 for passing the €20 note in the flower shop, and having four more forged €20s stuffed inside a seat in the car.

Mr Maguire denied these two charges, but the judge said he could do 240 hours of community service to avoid a six-month jail term and also fined him €500.