Courts / Cavan / Report
Stolen bike handler avoids further jail for laundering cash
Summary
A Cavan man previously imprisoned for handling 117 stolen bicycles has received a suspended sentence for money laundering linked to the same offence. Dinas Bimbiras, aged 50, of Maple Drive, Drumgola Wood, Cavan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the proceeds of crime. Following his earlier conviction in October 2022, when he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, gardaí examined his bank accounts under warrant. Analysis revealed a discrepancy of €71,141 between his legitimate income and lodgements, which prosecutors contend represents proceeds from the bicycle operation. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year custodial sentence but suspended it in full, determining that a further jail term would be unjust given Bimbiras's conduct since his release in February 2024 and his return to full-time employment. The judge noted the money laundering charge could have been heard concurrently with the original handling matter. He ordered forfeiture of the €71,141 to the State. Bimbiras, a Lithuanian resident in Ireland since 2001, maintains he purchased bicycles at Dublin markets intending to refurbish and resell them.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Stolen bike handler avoids further jail for laundering cash. Charges or matters: possession of 116 of the bicycles in a container at allotments in south Co Dublin in December 2019 and one bicycle at his home in May 2020; having the proceeds of crime. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2019 Incident
- May 2020 Incident
- October 2022 Other
- August 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-11-10 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of 116 of the bicycles in a container at allotments in south Co Dublin in December 2019 and one bicycle at his home in May 2020; having the proceeds of crime (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In October 2022, Judge Martin Nolan jailed Bimbiras for two years after saying he deserved a prison sentence by reason of his wrong-doing. He said if the money laundering offence had been before the court at the same time as the handling offence, he may have increased Bimbiras' sentence but he added that it would be unfair to do that at this point in time, considering the defendant's behaviour since.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Today Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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