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. 4973Drug importation and facilitating a criminal organisation (crystal meth) · Co. Kerry · 16 Oct 2023

Kerry businessman pleads guilty over record crystal meth haul

Nathan McDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port and facilitating a criminal organisation. He was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on December 17th, and co-accused James Leen is awaiting trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted14 Oct
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNathan McDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFollow-up searches in counties Kerry and Cork led to McDonnell's arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMcDonnell pleaded guilty to importing methylamphetamine on October 16th, 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí and Revenue officers seized 564kg of methamphetamine worth an estimated €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on February 16th. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMcDonnell also pleaded guilty to participating in activity that could facilitate a criminal organisation's serious offences between October 16th, 2023 and February 12th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCo-accused James Leen faces five charges, including directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February 7th, 2023 and February 16th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcDonnell was remanded in custody until December 17th, when he will be sentenced. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtLeen's trial date was not set; the judge adjourned the matter to November 11th for mention. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre before being transported to Cork for export to Australia. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Businessman pleads guilty to drug importation and facilitating criminal gang in relation to record crystal meth haul

    Reports McDonnell's guilty pleas before the Special Criminal Court, the seizure of 564kg of crystal meth at Cork Port, the follow-up arrest, and the co-accused's five charges. No existing case in the list covers this incident.

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