Pair caught with guns and can of petrol jailed

Two men caught who were caught “red-handed” with loaded guns and a can of petrol with “an intent to endanger life” have been jailed for 12 and 10 years.

Anthony Callaghan, 45, and Paul Zambra, 39, were caught following a three-day surveillance operation by specialist gardaí.

Callaghan, of Millrace Road, Phoenix Park Racecourse, Dublin and Zambra, of Inagh Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a Ruger revolver and semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Clonshaugh Avenue, Coolock on May 29, 2015.

The men were stopped by gardaí who mounted a surveillance operation in the Coolock area and a search of the BMW driven by Zambra yielded two firearms and a full petrol can.

Callaghan’s previous convictions include attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. Zambra has convictions for robbery, larceny and road traffic offences Judge Melanie Greally said the men were caught “red handed” and although she accepted that they pleaded guilty, she described the evidence against the men as “overwhelming”.

She said Zambra was a man with “a history of violent crime” and that Callaghan has previously been jailed for firearm offences connected with a robbery.

Judge Greally said guns when discovered by gardaí were “optimal readiness for use” and their capacity to endanger life was “considerable”. She accepted there was no evidence as to why the men had the weapons but said “the venture for their intended use was imminent”.

Judge Greally sentenced Callaghan to 12 years in prison and Zambra to 10 years after commenting that there was “a significant public interest in deterring firearm offences”.

Detective Garda Glen Somers told Vincent Heneghan BL, prosecuting, that gardaí acting on confidential information mounted a surveillance operation over several days on the movements and activities surrounding a number of vehicles driven variously by Callaghan and Zambra.

On May 29, 2015 gardaí became aware that a white Nissan van driven by Callaghan with Zambra as a front seat passenger was on its way to Coolock. Zambra was dropped off at Clonshaugh Crescent where a blue BMW estate was parked.

Zambra got into the BMW and drove onto Clonshaugh Avenue, in a direction which was in close proximity to the Riverside Estate. Callaghan drove off onto Clonshaugh Road. Gardaí made tactical stops of both vehicles at about 12.15pm and arrested the men.

Zambra had attempted to drive off after being directed to get out of the car but was boxed in by a squad car. Inside the BMW gardaí recovered a full 5 litre petrol container, a semi-automatic pistol wrapped in newspapers and a revolver wrapped inside a neck warmer.