Teens questioned over forged notes
Graphics of the notes could have been downloaded from an EU Commission website and then printed.
The notes were then passed on to busy pubs and nightclubs.
A garda source yesterday said the quality was “very bad” and some shopkeepers and bar staff immediately realised they were being handed duds.
But the notes were passed on in darkened premises to busy staff who did not notice the forgeries.
The investigation started after one note was passed in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, and similar notes were passed in Killorglin, Tralee, Killarney, Kenmare, and Castleisland.
Computer equipment used in the forgeries was seized in a house in
Killorglin. Four teenage boys, all under 18, have been questioned and a file is being prepared for the DPP.
EU Commission representative in Ireland Peter Doyle said there were no plans to remove graphics of notes from the website, pointing out that graphics of currencies from all over the world were on the internet. “Efforts have been made in different countries to forge euro notes, but nobody has ever managed it successfully,” he said.
Gardaí say the notes were of poor quality. “A lot of equipment is available these days. Some people are enterprising and just seize the opportunity,” said a spokesperson, who added up to three forgery scams had been going on in Kerry since Christmas.
