Alex Nolan's Counterfeit Note Plea: Comedy Influencer Avoids Conviction

The accused is known online for his comedy sketches and lifestyle content, including fitness and mindset videos. The 20-year-old, who is from Charlesland in Greystones, appeared before Bray District Court for sentencing on Monday. The court heard that, on two occasions in February 2024, Mr Nolan used counterfeit €50 notes to make small purchases at a SuperValu store in Greystones, receiving legitimate change on both occasions. A third attempt later that month was unsuccessful after staff became suspicious, leading to his identification through CCTV footage. The facts were outlined at a previous sitting of the court in October 2025. Mr Nolan addressed the offences in a video posted on social media on October 8 last year, in which he accepted responsibility for his actions, stating: “I hold my hand up to the mistake.” He added: “Every action has a reaction, and the reason I am making this video is because I have a lot of young followers and I feel I need to address this in the right manner.” Mr Nolan further stated: “I’m not making any excuses for myself or justifying anything that I’ve done, because what I have done is wrong.” On Monday, a probation report was made available to the court stating that Mr Nolan is not at risk of reoffending. Judge David Kennedy told the court that Mr Nolan claimed he had been paid €400 in counterfeit currency for an advertisement. Judge Kennedy remarked: “Instead of reporting the mistake, you decided to impose the loss on a business.” Solicitor for the accused, Michael O’Connor, told the court that character references were available. In his plea in mitigation, Mr O’Connor said his client has a lot to offer the community through his social media presence. Judge Kennedy imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended in its entirety. Mr O’Connor then asked the court whether, if a donation were made, Mr Nolan could be left without a conviction. Members of Mr Nolan’s family were present in court and could be heard crying when Judge Kennedy initially handed down the sentence. Judge Kennedy ordered that €2,000 be paid to the court poor box and ruled that Mr Nolan would be left without a conviction. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme