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. 5851Possession of crystal meth for sale or supply · Co. Kerry

Businessman charged over crystal meth seizure loses bail appeal

Nathan McDonnell, 43, from Tralee, Co Kerry, is charged with possessing crystal meth worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply. The Court of Appeal refused him bail, and he remains in custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • what564kg of methamphetamine worth an estimated €32.8 million was seized from a container at Cork Port on February 16. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA businessman is charged in connection with the largest seizure of crystal meth in the history of the State. (irishtimes.com)
  • what564kg of methamphetamine with an estimated value of €32.8 million was seized from a container at Cork Port on February 16. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged offence occurred at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offence is said to have occurred between October 27, 2023, and February 12 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence occurred between October 27th, 2023, and February 12th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFollow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to Mr McDonnell's arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrest followed a joint operation by gardaí and Revenue Officers. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFollow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to the accused's arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell is charged with possession of more than €13,000 worth of crystal meth for sale or supply. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell is charged with possession of more than €13,000 worth of crystal meth for sale or supply under section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr McDonnell was denied bail in the High Court in April and appealed to the Court of Appeal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the accused would offer an independent cash surety of €100,000 and abide by any conditions set by the court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal refused bail because of the high value of the drugs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe State is seeking for the case to be dealt with in the non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody awaiting a book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail was refused by the High Court in April, and the accused appealed to the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defence offered an independent cash surety of €100,000 and agreed to abide by any conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal refused bail due to the high value of the drugs. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe State will apply for the case to be dealt with in the non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody awaiting the serving of a book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceIf convicted, Mr McDonnell could face a minimum of ten years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused is a father of three young children with ties to Ireland and no connection to any foreign jurisdiction. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at the accused's garden centre before being transported to Cork for export to Australia. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 May2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Businessman charged over Ireland’s largest crystal meth seizure loses appeal for bail

    Reports the Court of Appeal refusing bail to the accused, who was charged over a crystal meth seizure of 564kg at Cork Port. The State is seeking to have the case heard in the Special Criminal Court. No existing case matched this incident.

    accused, Nathan McDonnell, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell
  2. 17 May2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Businessman charged over largest ever crystal meth seizure to remain in custody

    Reports that the Court of Appeal refused bail, that the State will seek to have the case heard in the Special Criminal Court, and that the accused was remanded in custody pending a book of evidence. Gives the alleged offence location and period and the State's account of the drug route.

    accused, Nathan McDonnell, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell