Man who had fake €50s in Kilkenny gets suspended prison sentence

A suspended prison sentence of 10 months has been handed down to a man convicted of being in custody or control of counterfeit notes, at Kilkenny District Court.

Patrick Lynch, 10 Hazel Hill, Killinarden, Tallaght, was convicted at a court sitting earlier this month, when evidence was heard that on November 14, 2023, gardaí observed a car on the Castlecomer New Road, in Kilkenny. The car was followed and stopped at MacDonagh Junction.

A garda said that while he was speaking to Mr Lynch he became suspicious and said he was going to search the man.
Before this took place the garda saw Mr Lynch reaching for his wallet in the car and putting a €50 note under a mat.

The garda said he found this ‘unusual’. When he picked up the note he suspected it was counterfeit.

The vehicle was searched at Kilkenny Garda Station and a further 47 €50 notes were found.

The matter returned before Judge Geraldine Carthy for finalisation, last week, following the completion of a Probation Report.
Nicholas Revilles BL, for Mr Lynch, said the report said his client is at moderate risk of reoffending, however, the barrister said that if his client went to jail he felt that risk would increase.
His client is ‘off alcohol’ Mr Revilles added.

Judge Carthy convicted Mr Lynch and imposed a prison sentence of 10 months, suspended for 18 months. She directed Mr Lynch to engage fully with the Probation Service.