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. 4975Drug importation (crystal meth); facilitating a criminal organisation · Co. Cork · 16 Oct 2023

Kerry businessman pleads guilty over record crystal meth importation

Nathan McDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to importing crystal meth and facilitating an organised crime gang. The case concerns the largest ever crystal meth haul in the State, seized at Cork Port in February 2024, and he is to be sentenced on 17 December.

  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. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and Revenue seized 564kg of methamphetamine from a container at Cork Port on 16 February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationMcDonnell's arrest followed a joint operation by Gardaí and Revenue officers. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationFollow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to McDonnell's arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to importing methamphetamine on 16 October 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to a criminal organisation's activity between 16 October 2023 and 12 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMcDonnell was arraigned on two of the five charges against him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcDonnell was remanded in custody until 17 December, when he is to be sentenced. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at a garden centre, then taken to Cork for export to Australia. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Kerry businessman pleads guilty over largest ever crystal meth haul

    Reports McDonnell's guilty pleas before the Special Criminal Court, the charges he admitted, the seizure and joint operation behind his arrest, the State's account of the drug route, and the sentencing date. Co-accused James Leen is mentioned but not included as a person in this case.

    convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell