Bank replaces €20m of ‘mutilated’ money

Twenty million euro of damaged bank notes, some ruined by washing machines and microwaves, has been replaced by authorities since the start of last year.

The Central Bank revealed its eagle-eyed note checkers refused 370 applications for new money this year — the vast majority because less than half the original note was handed in.

Among the excuses people have offered for ruined notes are that they tried to dry out soaked or damp cash in a microwave or they unwittingly put them through a wash and spin cycle.