Issue Date: 23/11/2025
An Garda Síochána has seized almost €185,000 in suspected counterfeit €50 notes following an operation in Dublin 8 on Friday, 21st November 2025. Gardaí attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau executed a search warrant at a property in Dublin 8 on Friday night as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised criminal networks.
During the course of the search operation, 3,695 €50 notes with a potential financial value of €184,750 were seized by Gardaí. The suspected counterfeit currency is subject to examination by personnel in the Document and Handwriting Section of the Garda National Technical Bureau.
No arrests have been made at this time. Investigations are ongoing.
This counterfeit currency had the potential to inflict significant financial losses on the retail sector, which would be particularly damaging for small to medium sized businesses at this time of year.
Business owners should be particularly mindful if someone is attempting to pay for an inexpensive item with a large note in an attempt to get a large sum of change in real money.
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.
Advice and information on counterfeit currency is also provided on the Central Bank Website: What to do if you have counterfeit money | Central Bank of Ireland
