Police said the quality of the notes was 'not good'

The County Kerry teenagers aged between 15 and 17 scanned genuine money into a personal computer, then printed off the counterfeit notes from the images.

Although Gardai said the quality of the notes was "not good," this did not stop them passing off an estimated 3,000 fake euro in shops, pubs and nightclubs in the area around their home town of Killorglin over a six-week period.

Most of the forged notes were for 50 euro, although they also produced some 10 and 20 euro notes.

The group managed to spend up to 1,000 euro-worth of counterfeit cash on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve on nights out in Dingle and Kenmare, County Kerry.

Spree

Their spending spree finally came to an end when two of the boys were caught in Cahirciveen after visiting six bars in the town.

A suspicious pub owner had called the police, and the alleged culprits were quickly found.

It is understood the teenagers are to be cautioned by the police, because of their ages as well as compensation paid to traders taken in by the scam.

However, the computer and printer used by the boys have been seized.