Courts / Kerry / Report
Business owner facing charges relating to largest ever meth haul gets legal aid
Summary
Nathan McDonnell, 44, a garden centre owner, has been granted legal aid by the Special Criminal Court for charges related to the largest ever crystal meth haul in the State. He appeared briefly to receive formal notice of trial before a three‑judge, non‑jury court, and the matter was adjourned to 14 October. His co‑accused, James Leen, 41, also appeared and was formally served notice of trial before the Special Criminal Court, with his custody remanded until 14 October. Leen faces five charges, including directing a criminal organisation's activities, importing crystal meth at Cork Port, and possessing the drug at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. McDonnell 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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Business owner facing charges relating to largest ever meth haul gets legal aid. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 14 Adjournment
- February 7, 2023 Adjournment
- February 16 Adjournment
- October 16, 2023 Incident
- October 27, 2023 Incident
- February 12, 2024 Incident
- 16 October Incident
- 16 February 2024 Incident
- 2024-08-02 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
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