A young man bought a quantity of €20 notes so he could attend a friend's 21st birthday party.
Letterkenny court.
Ryan Murphy appeared at Letterkenny District Court on four charges of passing fake notes.
Murphy, 19, had tried to pass a €20 note at Voodoo Nightclub in Letterkenny but was caught by security staff on March 1st last.
When interviewed by Gardai, it was discovered he had passed a further six of the bogus notes at the Station House Hotel.
Three of the notes were used to pay for a room and a further three were used to buy food and drink.
The court heard that Murphy of Ballindarragh Road, Market Hill, Armagh, had paid £70 sterling for €160 in fake euro notes.
Judge Paul Kelly remarked "He didn't get a great exchange rate on them."
Murphy solicitor Kieran Dillon said there had been a 21st birthday party on and he had no money and stupidly bought the fake notes so he could attend.
Garda Inspector Michael Harrison said the notes were made outside the jurisdiction and were of a good quality.
Judge Paul Kelly fined Murphy €400 on one of the charges of passing a forged note and struck out the other three charges.