Ireland Case No. 4409Importation of controlled drugs, facilitating a criminal organisation, unpaid income tax · Co. Kerry · 16 Oct 2023
Businessman jailed over State's largest crystal meth haul faces forfeiting part of house sale proceeds
The High Court appointed a receiver over 50 per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of Nathan McDonnell's family home in Tralee, over unpaid income tax owed to Revenue. McDonnell, jailed for 12 years for importing the State's largest crystal meth seizure, owes €125,135.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Dec
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe machine stored at his garden centre contained more than €32 million of the drug. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe owed Revenue €125,135 in unpaid income tax between December 2020 and December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatNathan McDonnell ran the Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHis business was used to store a machine containing more than €32 million of the drug. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe family home at Clashaphuca, Ballyroe, Tralee is for sale at €795,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMcDonnell is in Portlaoise Prison and was given liberty to apply to court about the order. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis family home at Ballyroe, Tralee, is for sale at €795,000. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRevenue is concerned there may be an attempt to dissipate his assets. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe also pleaded guilty to facilitating the activities of a criminal organisation. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court in February to importing drugs into Cork on October 16th, 2023, and to facilitating the activities of a criminal organisation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court in February. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere was no appearance by McDonnell when Revenue sought summary judgment. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Brian Cregan granted Revenue an order appointing a receiver over 50pc of the net proceeds of the sale. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe application was made ex parte, with only Revenue represented. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSolicitor Harry Fehily was appointed as receiver. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe High Court heard that the businessman faces having to forfeit part of the proceeds of the sale of his €795,000 family home. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRevenue notified him that it was seeking summary judgment, but he did not appear. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Brian Cregan granted Revenue an order appointing a receiver over 50 per cent of the net proceeds of the sale. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcDonnell was jailed for 12 years for importing the State's largest ever crystal meth seizure. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe received a 12-year jail term. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe drug came from an organised crime group with links to the Sinaloa Cartel. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe other half of the house is owned by his wife, Jackie McDonnell. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe drug came from an organised crime group with links to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe machine was intended to travel on to Australia. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe ran up a debt of €125,135 to Revenue in unpaid income tax between December 2020 and December 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHalf of the property is owned by McDonnell and the other half by his wife Jackie McDonnell. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRevenue is concerned there may be an attempt to liquidate and dissipate his assets to prevent collection of the unpaid tax. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcDonnell is in Portlaoise Prison and was granted liberty to apply to court regarding the order. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Dec2025Businessman jailed over State’s largest crystal meth haul faces forfeiting part of house sale
High Court grants Revenue an order appointing a receiver over half of the net proceeds of the sale of McDonnell's home to recover unpaid tax.
convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell - 4 Dec2025Businessman jailed over €32m crystal meth haul faces fresh blow over home sale
Revenue obtained an ex-parte High Court order appointing a receiver over McDonnell's 50% share of the net proceeds of his family home.
convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell