Courts / Kerry / Report
Pair to face non-jury trial over biggest haul of crystal meth in State history
Summary
Two men, Nathan McDonnell, 44, and James Leen, 41, are charged with offences related to the largest crystal meth haul in Irish history. Their trials will be heard at the Special Criminal Court, a three‑judge, non‑jury court, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Leen faces five charges, including directing a criminal organisation's activities between 7 February 2023 and 16 February 2024, importing crystal meth into Cork Port on 16 October 2023, and possessing the drug at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, from 27 October 2023 to 12 February 2024, in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Mr McDonnell also faces five charges, including possession of crystal meth at Cork Port and Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and an alleged participation in activities that could facilitate the importation, sale and supply of a controlled drug by a criminal organisation, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court will hear the case later this week.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair to face non-jury trial over biggest haul of crystal meth in State history. Charges or matters: possession of crystal meth; participating in criminal organisation activity; directing the activities of a criminal organisation; importation of methylamphetamine. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 7, 2023 Incident
- February 16 Incident
- October 16, 2023 Incident
- October 27, 2023 Incident
- February 12, 2024 Incident
- 16 October Incident
- 16 February 2024 Incident
- 2024-07-31 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: directing the activities of a criminal organisation; importation of methylamphetamine; possession of crystal meth (Alleged Or Contested)
Defendant
Charges: possession of crystal meth; participating in criminal organisation activity (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Mobile evidence points to innocence of Ballyseedy meth haul accused, court told
- 'Highly naïve' money mule who self-reported to gardai avoids jail
- Unsuccesful Dail candidate too late to challenge election result
- Failed GE candidate wants result in Kerry set aside over alleged 'torn out' ballots
- Care worker who had job terminated after saying she planned to quit wins €6k for unfair dismissal
- Ballyseedy CEO gets 12 years as court finds he was 'committed to and invested in' €32m drugs venture linked to Sinaloa Cartel
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request