Courts / Dublin / Report
Man caught "red handed" with loaded gun has prison sentence cut by one year
Summary
Anthony Callaghan, aged 45, and Paul Zambra, aged 39, were apprehended on 29 May 2015 in Coolock after a three‑day surveillance operation by specialist Gardaí. Both men were found with a Ruger Revolver and a semi‑automatic pistol, the latter wrapped in newspapers and equipped with a silencer, and a full 5‑litre petrol container. They were charged with possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. Callaghan was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment and Zambra to 10 years' by Judge Melanie Greally on 16 March 2016. On appeal, Callaghan's sentence was reduced to 11 years, while Zambra's remained unchanged. The Court of Appeal, citing a "slight distinction" in their prior convictions, quashed the original 12‑year term and substituted it with 11 years. The case remains at the appellate stage. Anthony Callaghan pleaded guilty. Paul Zambra pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man caught "red handed" with loaded gun has prison sentence cut by one year. Charges or matters: possession of a Ruger Revolver and semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Clonshaugh Avenue, Coolock on May 29, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 29, 2015 Incident
- March 16, 2016 Other
- 2018-03-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of a Ruger Revolver and semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Clonshaugh Avenue, Coolock on May 29, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Callaghan to 12 years imprisonment and Zambra to 10 years imprisonment on March 16, 2016. Callaghan successfully appealed his sentence today and was accordingly re-sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of a Ruger Revolver and semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Clonshaugh Avenue, Coolock on May 29, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Callaghan to 12 years imprisonment and Zambra to 10 years imprisonment on March 16, 2016. However, in a situation where the Circuit Court judge had said specifically "and we believe correctly" that there was a basis for a slight distinction, the court found it necessary to bring the sentence in closer alignment to Zambra's.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Clonshaugh Avenue
- Riverside Estate
- Clonshaugh Road
- Clonshaugh Crescent
- BMW estate
- Clonshaugh Avenue
Topics
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