A MAN has been accused of using several fake £20 notes to make transactions in businesses in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area. 

Tadgh O'Locknain (26), from Lettermullan, Galway, appeared at Strabane Magistrate's Court today (Thursday) facing 19 charges of possessing counterfeit currency. 

A police constable told the court how on dates between September 26 and September 27, a number of businesses in Tyrone and Fermanagh were allegedly targeted by O'Locknain.

The officer told the court that on September 26 at around 10pm, O'Locknain purchased food from a takeaway in Enniskillen with a £20 note that was then found to be fake. 

On September 28 at around 12.25pm, O'Locknain purchased a dog toy, worth £2.29 from a pet shop in Lisnaskea, again using a counterfeit £20.

The court further heard that on the same date, O'Locknain purchased a coffee from a bakery in Lisnaskea, using a counterfeit £20 note to make the purchase; he then purchased 'Gripe Water' worth £4.99 from a pharmacy in Lisnaskea using a counterfeit £20 note, and the same item from another pharmacy in Augher, again allegedly using a counterfeit £20.

At around 3pm on September 28, he purchased a coffee in Augher with another counterfeit £20, and a 'Red Bull' drink from a corner shop with a fake £20.

Later that day he allegedly purchased a drink from a shop in Caledon, Co. Tyrone, again using a fake £20, the court heard.

On October 2, police intercepted O'Locknain and another man, who were both travelling into Belfast Harbour on a ferry from Liverpool. 

O'Locknain was driving a Nissan van, while the other male was driving a vehicle with a Southern registration.

O'Locknain was searched and found to have £5,000-worth of counterfeit cash in his pockets. 

Both men were arrested and taken to Antrim Custody Suite.

During an interview, O'Locknain claimed that he had recently sold a vehicle to an individual in Tempo, and he had been paid £6,000 cash.

He said that he was unaware that the notes were counterfeit, and claimed that he had been in the Tyrone and Fermanagh area to buy pallets.

He admitted that he was the person caught on CCTV footage making transactions with counterfeit notes at various businesses.

Opposing bail, the constable said it was likely that O'Locknain would commit further offences, and as he had no known links with the area, it was unlikely that he would cooperate with court proceedings.

However, Barrister Steffan Rafferty said that as O'Locknain was from Galway, he may not have known the money was fake.

Mr. Rafferty outlined that O'Locknain worked in a breaker's yard and routinely travelled back and forth to England to buy and sell vehicles, and that this was an explanation for why he had brought £5,000 cash to England, as he intended to use to this to buy a vehicle if the opportunity arose. 

"His case is that he did not know the notes were counterfeit," said Mr. Rafferty. "He is from Galway, so he wouldn't have been able to readily identify [counterfeit] notes, and he took it at face value. 

"He is the person who has been handed a wad of cash, that is counterfeit, from the sale of a van. He did not know that the notes were counterfeit."

District Judge Mullan raised concerns that O'Locknain had repeatedly used £20 notes to make purchases, instead of using change tendered from previous transactions.

"I have grave concerns," the judge said. "There were multiple transactions, and it was always a £20 note that was proffered. That does concern me. He paid with a £20 note in every premises that he went into.

"I also have concerns that as he is from outside the jurisdiction, he might not turn up to court. I am not minded to grant bail."

Judge Mullan remanded O'Locknain, and ordered that the case be heard again on October 28.