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. 0055Importation of drugs · Co. Cork · 16 Oct 2023

Kerryman pleads not guilty to crystal meth seizure charges

James Leen, 43, of Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, pleaded not guilty to five charges at the Special Criminal Court on 27 October 2026, relating to the seizure of 564kg of crystal meth with an estimated value of €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on 16 February 2024. The charges include importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork on 16 October 2023, possessing it for sale or supply at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, and directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February 2023 and February 2024. The State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and transported to Cork for export to Australia. The matter was adjourned to 2 November 2026 before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, with the trial scheduled to commence on 9 November 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Oct
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • James Leen, 43, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, is charged in connection with the seizure of 564kg of crystal meth with an estimated value of €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on 16 February 2024.
  • The State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, Co Kerry, and transported to Cork for export to Australia.
Charges
  • Leen is charged with importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork on 16 October 2023 with a market value of €13,000 or more.
  • He is charged with possessing methylamphetamine for sale or supply at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, Co Kerry between 27 October 2023 and 12 February 2024.
  • He is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 7 February 2023 and 16 February 2024.
In court
  • On 27 October 2026, Leen entered not guilty pleas to all five charges at the Special Criminal Court.
  • The defence sought outstanding evidence disclosure including salary, pension, and bitcoin transaction records, and the DPP's counsel said records up to 2020 had been provided with efforts to be made for 2021 to 2023.
  • Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the matter to 2 November 2026 and directed that Leen be produced in person, with the trial scheduled to commence on 9 November 2026.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames Leen is a 43-year-old man from Kilmorna, Listowel (gript.ie)
  • whatThe methamphetamine had a value of more than €13,000 (gript.ie)
  • whatThe case relates to the seizure of 564kg of crystal meth with an estimated value of €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on 16 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereLeen is from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with importing methamphetamine into Cork Port on 16 October 2023 (gript.ie)
  • chargeHe entered not guilty pleas to five charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeOne charge is for directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 7 February 2023 and 16 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork on 16 October 2023 with a market value of €13,000 or more. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possessing methylamphetamine for sale or supply at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, Co Kerry between 27 October 2023 and 12 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with having methylamphetamine worth in excess of €13,000 in his possession for sale or supply at the same address and dates. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is scheduled to commence on 9 November 2026 (gript.ie)
  • courtThe defence retained a forensic accountant and sought outstanding evidence disclosure including salary and pension documentation of another person. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP's counsel said salary records and pension details up to 2020 had already been provided and efforts would be made to provide records for 2021, 2022 and 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA list of bitcoin transactions was available and would be provided to the defence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the matter to 2 November 2026 and directed that Leen be produced in person. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, then transported to Cork for export to Australia. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Oct2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Kerry man charged over Ireland's biggest crystal meth seizure pleads not guilty

    Provides full detail of the five charges, the seizure value (€32.8m, 564kg), the alleged route (Mexico to Ballyseedy Garden Centre to Cork Port for export to Australia), the defence's request for outstanding evidence including salary, pension and bitcoin records, and the adjournment to 2 November 2026 before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.

    accused, James Leen, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen
  2. 27 Oct2026
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Kerryman pleads not guilty to crystal meth seizure charges

    First report of the plea hearing; trial set for 9 November 2026.

    accused, James Leen, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen