Courts / Kerry / Report
Garden centre owner has sentencing over record crystal meth haul adjourned
Summary
A sentencing hearing for former garden‑centre owner Nathan McDonnell, 44, was adjourned to 13 January after he pleaded guilty to importing crystal meth and facilitating an organised crime group. McDonnell admitted that between 16 October 2023 and 12 February 2024 he helped a criminal organisation import, sell and supply controlled drugs, knowing of its existence. He had earlier pleaded guilty to importing one or more controlled drugs, namely methylamphetamine, on 16 October 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The State's case alleges the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at a garden centre, then transported to Cork for export to Australia. The seizure of 564 kg of crystal meth, valued at €32.8 million, occurred on 16 February 2024 at Cork Port, leading to McDonnell's arrest after follow‑up searches in Kerry and Cork.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garden centre owner has sentencing over record crystal meth haul adjourned. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 13 Adjournment
- October 16 2023 Incident
- February 12 2024 Incident
- February 16 Incident
- February 7, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 16, 2023 Other
- New Year Other
- 2024-12-17 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Naidoo granted legal aid on the basis that there was no suggestion any of the funds alleged to belong to Mr Leen could be used to fund his legal case in a trial that is expected to last one month. CNI source report
Case subjects
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Fraud accused Denise O'Brien appears before court after bench warrant
- Almost 200 witnesses involved in Mike Gaine murder case as trial date set
- Murderer's claim that conviction was unsafe after 'extremely brief' jury deliberations is rejected
- One of six family members convicted of Tralee cemetery murder fails in bid to overturn conviction
- 'Honour killing' convict was misidentified at trial, lawyers claim
- Three jailed for 'honour killing' at Kerry funeral appeal convictions
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request