James Leen refused further adjournment in crystal meth trial

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

James Leen was refused a further adjournment of his crystal meth trial at the Special Criminal Court on 5 October 2026. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said the defence had until Friday to show it had tried to engage phone experts in Ireland, after which the court would consider the next step.

Leen, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, faces five charges. He is accused of importing methylamphetamine, or crystal meth, through Cork Port on 16 October 2023; possessing it at the former Ballyseedy Garden Centre between 27 October 2023 and 12 February 2024; possessing drugs worth more than €13,000; possessing drugs for sale or supply; and directing a criminal organisation between 7 February 2023 and 16 February 2024.

His counsel, Colm Smyth SC, said the defence wanted all material from all devices, rather than only material the State considered relevant. He submitted that data already received showed co-accused Nathan McDonnell was the sole trader in the operation. Smyth said he had engaged a phone expert in Texas and that three to four weeks to analyse all the data would point towards Leen’s innocence.

John Berry SC, for the DPP, opposed another adjournment. He said relevant device data had been provided and personal information could not be sent outside the State without court-supervised analysis. Justice Biggs said the trial had already been adjourned a year earlier for the defence to make arrangements.

McDonnell pleaded guilty on 14 October 2024 to importing methylamphetamine and participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate a criminal organisation’s drug offences. He received a 12-year prison sentence at the Special Criminal Court in February 2025.