A massive €20m of damaged bank notes, some ruined by washing machines and microwaves, have been replaced by authorities since the start of last year.

The Central Bank revealed its note checkers refused 370 applications for new money this year - the vast majority because less than half the original note was handed in.

Among the excuses people have offered for ruined notes are that they tried to dry out soaked or damp cash in a microwave or that they unwittingly put them through a wash and spin cycle.

The Central Bank said €10.7m worth of what it classed as "mutilated notes" were reimbursed last year, while this year €9.9m has been replaced.

Experts in its currency division are reporting more ink-stained notes being handed in over recent years by professional cash handlers, mainly cash-in-transit security companies.

Last year, 195 lots of these dyed notes were replaced by authorities, while 245 applications have been processed this year.

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Wash and gone as €20m in notes are destroyed(www.independent.ie/irish-news/wash-and-gone-as-20m-in-notes-are-destroyed-30595499.html)