Gardaí in Galway carried out a search under the Trade Marks Act 1996 have recovered suspected counterfeit clothing and 150 pairs of suspected counterfeit runners at a house in Tuam. If genuine these items would be worth €80,000.
Shortly before 8pm on Wednesday December 2 Gardaí attached to the Crime Unit in Tuam Garda Station carried out a search of a house in Tuam as part of an Intelligence lead operation.
During the search suspected counterfeit clothing and footwear were found in a number of rooms in the house.
Clothing and shoes bearing the branding of Moncler, Canada Goose, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Northface, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren were seized by Gardaí.
The items seized are estimated to have resulted in the loss of €80,000 in revenue to the clothing and footwear companies involved.
Gardaí also found evidence that these goods were being sold and distributed in Ireland. Some items were packed and ready for postage.
Currently no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
Consumers are reminded when buying goods to ensure they are genuine.
There is potential health and safety risk when it comes to certain counterfeit products i.e are they flame retardant?
The sale of counterfeit goods undermines local genuine businesses, affects jobs and livelihoods, and reduces the tax revenue stream for the Government.
