Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6201Drug importation (crystal meth) · Co. Kerry · 16 Oct 2023

Bail bid by Kerry man charged over crystal meth seizure adjourned

James Leen, 41, and Nathan McDonnell, 44, both of Kerry, have been charged over 543kg of crystal meth, valued at €32.8 million, found by Customs officers in a container at the Port of Cork on October 16, 2023. Both men were refused bail at their first District Court hearings in February 2024. On March 26, 2024, the High Court refused McDonnell's bail, and on March 28 Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned Leen's bail application, which the State opposes, to April 12, 2024. The latest development is that Leen's High Court bail application is due to be heard on April 12, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Customs officers found 543kg of crystal meth, valued at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork.
When
The drugs were found on October 16, 2023.
Where
The drugs were said to have been shipped from Mexico and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre from October 2023.
Investigation
Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson of Tralee station has detailed knowledge of the case.
Charges
  • James Leen, 41, faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, and a charge of possessing crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27, 2023 and February 12, 2024.
  • Nathan McDonnell, 44, a former company director who ran Ballyseedy Garden Centre, is charged with possessing drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between October 27, 2023 and February 12, 2024.
Other details
  • Both men may face additional charges, and the DPP's directions were required.
  • McDonnell watched the High Court proceedings by video link from prison.
In court
  • Both men were refused bail at their first District Court hearings in February 2024.
  • A detective objected to bail because of the seriousness of the case and concerns about flight risk.
  • McDonnell's father offered €100,000 from his life savings as a surety.
  • On March 26, 2024, the High Court refused McDonnell's bail, finding the surety insufficient and no conditions adequate to allay garda concerns.
  • On March 28, 2024, Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned Leen's High Court bail application to April 12 because of garda witness availability, and the State opposes it.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Kerry businessman charged over the country's largest-ever crystal meth seizure has been denied bail in the High Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCustoms officers found 543kg of crystal meth, valued at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJames Leen faces two charges of drug importation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCustoms officers found 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were said to have been shipped from Mexico. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe machine was reportedly shipped from Mexico and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre since October. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Ernie Henderson of Tralee station has detailed knowledge of the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJames Leen faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJames Leen also faces a possession charge for drugs worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27, 2023, and February 12, 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell has been charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between October 27 and February 12. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLeen also faces a charge of possessing crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell is charged with possessing drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men were refused bail at their first District Court hearings in February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA detective objected to bail because of the seriousness of the case and flight risk concerns. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMcDonnell's father offered €100,000 from his life savings as a surety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge denied McDonnell's bail application, finding the surety insufficient and no conditions adequate. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said no conditions would allay the garda concerns. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe men will face their next District Court appearance the following day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLeen and McDonnell were refused bail at their first District Court hearings in February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMcDonnell's High Court bail application was refused. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJustice Caroline Biggs adjourned Leen's bail application because of garda witness availability. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe State opposes Leen's bail application, which will now go ahead on April 12. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe men may face additional charges, and the DPP's directions were required. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcDonnell watched the High Court proceedings by video link from prison. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Mar2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    'Complex' bail bid by Kerry man charged over crystal meth seizure stalls

    Reports the High Court bail hearing for James Leen being stalled and adjourned to April 12, with the State opposing, and the refusal of co-accused Nathan McDonnell's bail.

    accused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leenaccused, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell
  2. 26 Mar2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Kerry businessman charged over huge crystal meth seizure is denied bail

    Reports the High Court refusal of bail for McDonnell, the surety offered, the judge's reasons, and that both men may face additional charges.

    accused, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnellaccused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen