A Dublin man who was “caught blue handed” with a total of €70,000 worth of cash stolen from two different cash in transit security vans has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Stephen Cummins (23) was caught following one robbery lying in park with blue dye on the front of his trousers and on his runners. Earlier local people spotted a man running along back garden walls and money had fallen from his pockets.

In another incident an empty cash box was discovered at the back of the Crumlin Children’s Hospital. A follow up search of a nearby home led to the discovery of the stolen cash which was stained with a blue/purple dye. Cummins later took responsibility for this cash.

Cummins of Kimmage Road West in Crumlin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of €40,000 worth of stolen cash at Curlew Road in Drimnagh on July 16, 2012. He further pleaded guilty to possession of €30,000 worth of stolen cash at Landen Road in Ballyfermot on August 16, 2012.

Cummins has 28 previous convictions for road traffic offences and one for unlawful possession of drugs.

James Dwyer BL, defending, said the father of two was “caught blue handed but not red handed” in both incidents and that a co-accused, who was older than Cummins, was an influencing figure.

“These are serious matters he embroiled himself in,’ said Mr Dwyer, “but he is turning himself into a good father and is now working. He also has a serious heart condition.”

Judge Martin Nolan said Cummins “must have been aware the money was procured as a result of crimes as the blue dye must have alerted him.”

“He appears to be an intelligent young man and a hard worker from the references handed in and his girlfriend’s mother speaks highly of him,” said Judge Nolan, before he handed Cummins a three year sentence.

Blue dye on envelope and trousers

Garda Robert Lambert told prosecuting counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL, on July 14, 2012 a G4 security cash in transit van was the subject of a robbery at Maxol Service Station at Walkinstown Avenue in Dublin 12.

A total of €40,000 was taken in the course of the robbery. The following day a member of the public noticed a security cash box at the rear of the Children’s Hospital in Drimnagh. Gardai retrieved the box but there was no money in it.

A search of a house on Curlew Road followed and a white envelope with €360 in cash was found. The cash was stained with blue/purple dye. A black pellet gun and a dog food bag containing €36,680, which was also stained in blue/purple dye, was located in the attic.

Cummins presented himself the following day at Sundrive Garda Station as he was aware gardai wanted to speak to him. His finger prints were taken and he accepted he was in the house where the money was found.

He told gardai he “found the money on a roadway nearby and brought it back to the house,” and that someone had “given him a black bag with the money in it.”

Gda Lambert said the dye on the money was consistent with the type of dye used in the cash box.

Under cross-examining by Mr Dwyer Gda Lambert agreed that Cummins had admitted he put the money in the attic.

He said the reason why Cummins, who was aware the money was from the proceeds of crime, did not report it was because he “didn’t want to get into trouble” and that “you never know who would come knocking at the door looking for it.”

Sergeant John McCarthy gave evidence that G4 security cash in transit van was subject to a robbery at Rathfarnham Shopping Centre on August 16, 2012 where €30,000 in cash was taken.

The cash box had a GPS system which was activated on foot of the robbery and was traced to Landen Road.

Sgt McCarthy said he spoke to neighbours after a Ford Focus car sped out of a driveway at Landen Road when gardai arrived.

The neighbours said they saw a man running along back garden walls and money had fallen from his pockets. This money was recovered.

Later gardai spotted Cummins and another man lying on a soccer pitch at Markievicz Park. He said gardai noticed blue dye on the front of Cummins trousers and on his runners. Sgt McCarthy said €7,000 was recovered but that €23,000 is still outstanding.