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. 6244Importation of methylamphetamine (crystal meth); possession of drugs worth €13,000 or more for sale or supply · Co. Kerry · 16 Oct 2023

Kerry businessman's father offers €100,000 bail in crystal meth case

On October 16, 2023, customs officers found 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy. James Leen (41), a businessman from Listowel, Kerry, and Nathan McDonnell (44), a former company director who ran Ballyseedy Garden Centre, have been charged over the seizure, and the drugs had been stored at the garden centre since October. Both men were refused bail in February, and at a High Court bail hearing on March 22, 2024, a father offered €100,000 to stand bail. The judge will deliver her ruling the following Tuesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Customs officers found 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork.
Where
The drugs were shipped from Mexico and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre from October.
When
The seizure was made at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023.
Other details
  • James Leen (41), of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmourna, Listowel, Kerry, is described as a businessman.
  • Nathan McDonnell (44) is a former company director who previously ran Ballyseedy Garden Centre.
Charges
  • James Leen is charged with two counts of importation of methylamphetamine at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023.
  • James Leen is also charged with possession of crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27, 2023, and February 12, 2024.
  • Nathan McDonnell is charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between October 27 and February 12.
In court
  • The men were refused bail in February but could make a fresh application to the High Court.
  • At a High Court bail hearing on March 22, 2024, James Leen's counsel asked for his bail application to be deferred until the following Thursday.
  • Sources differ on whose father offered bail: the Key facts say Nathan McDonnell's father, while the Irish Times headline says the father of James Leen, offered to stand bail and put forward €100,000 from his life savings as surety.
  • The judge will deliver her ruling the following Tuesday.
Investigation
Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson objected to bail because of the seriousness of the case and concerns about flight risk.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCustoms officers found 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe drugs had been shipped from Mexico and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre since October. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Ernie Henderson objected to bail because of the seriousness of the case and flight risk concerns. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Leen faces two charges of importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023, of crystal meth. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Leen is also charged with possession of crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27, 2023, and February 12, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell is charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between October 27 and February 12. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men were refused bail in February but could make a fresh application to the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJames Leen asked, through counsel, to defer his bail application until the following Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNathan McDonnell's father offered to stand bail and put forward €100,000 from his life savings as a surety. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge will deliver her ruling the following Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Father of businessman charged over crystal meth seizure offers €100,000 bail

    Reports a bail hearing in the High Court for two men charged over the crystal meth seizure. Adds the charges against each man, the amount seized and its value, the bail offer, and the date the judge will rule.

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