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. 6116Drug importation and possession of crystal meth · Co. Kerry

Man charged over Ballyseedy crystal meth haul refused bail

Two Co Kerry men, Nathan McDonnell (43), of Ballyroe, Tralee, and James Leen (41), of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, have been charged over the largest-ever seizure of crystal meth in the State, 543kg with an estimated value of €32.8 million, found in a container at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, after being shipped from Mexico. Leen is charged with importing the drug at Cork Port on October 16th, 2023, and both men are charged with possessing methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between October 27th, 2023 and February 12th, 2024. Both men first appeared before the court on February 23rd, 2024 and have been remanded in custody since, and McDonnell was refused High Court bail and is taking the matter to the Court of Appeal. The latest development is that a High Court judge refused Leen bail, deeming him a flight risk, in a ruling reported on April 12th, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two Co Kerry men are charged over the largest-ever seizure of crystal meth in the State.
  • Gardaí seized 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork.
Cause
The drugs were shipped from Mexico inside a machine and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre from October 2023.
Where
The shipment arrived at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, and the possession charges relate to Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee.
When
Leen is charged with importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port on October 16th, 2023.
Charges
  • Nathan McDonnell is charged with possessing methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more for sale or supply at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27th, 2023 and February 12th, 2024, and replied not guilty when charged.
  • James Leen faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port and a charge of possessing methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and made no reply when charged.
Investigation
  • Customs officers at Cork Port examined a container based on information gathered by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit.
  • CCTV footage shows McDonnell loading the machine into a container at the garden centre, and Gardaí believed Leen was the logistics figure in the importation.
  • The two men were arrested in connection with the discovery of the crystal meth, and a sergeant said the books of evidence were unlikely to be ready within two weeks.
In court
  • Both men first appeared before the court on February 23rd, 2024 and have been remanded in custody since.
  • Gardaí sought a further two-week remand, and the judge remanded both men in custody to appear via video link on April 24th.
  • McDonnell was refused High Court bail and is taking the matter to the Court of Appeal.
  • A High Court judge refused Leen bail, deeming him a flight risk and saying there was a probability he would not attend his trial if released, despite a defence offer of a €200,000 surety from his father, who would sell the family home.
Sentence
On conviction, the offences carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Other details
Further serious charges are to be considered in the case.
30 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo Co Kerry men are charged in connection with the largest ever seizure of crystal meth in the State. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí seized 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA man was charged over the country's largest-ever crystal meth seizure, valued at more than €32 million. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe seized machine contained 543kg of crystal meth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí said the value of the drugs in Ireland was €32.8 million. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe possession charge against McDonnell relates to Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shipment arrived at Cork Port from Mexico. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe possession charge against McDonnell covers the period between October 27th, 2023 and February 12th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe drugs were shipped from Mexico inside a machine and stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre since October. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe men were arrested in connection with the discovery of the crystal meth. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA sergeant said it was highly unlikely the books of evidence would be ready in two weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCustoms officers at Cork Port examined a container based on information gathered by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNathan McDonnell is charged with possessing methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Leen is charged with the same possession offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLeen is further charged with importing methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more at Cork Port on October 16th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Leen faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Leen is accused of possessing crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men first appeared before the court on February 23rd and have been remanded in custody since. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGardaí sought a further two-week remand. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge remanded both men in custody to appear via video link on April 24th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA bail application for Leen was being heard in the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcDonnell was recently refused bail in the High Court and is taking the matter to the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA High Court judge refused James Leen bail after deeming him a flight risk. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said there was a probability that James Leen would not attend his trial if released. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe offences, on conviction, carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcDonnell replied not guilty when charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí believed James Leen was the logistics figure in the importation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFurther serious charges are to be considered in the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCCTV footage shows Nathan McDonnell loading the machine into a container at the garden centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said James Leen's father would sell the family home to raise €200,000 bail. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man charged over €32m Ballyseedy Garden Centre crystal meth haul refused bail due to flight risk

    Reports the High Court refusal of bail for James Leen, who is charged with drug importation and possession of crystal meth, and gives details of the seizure and the case against him.

    accused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leenaccused, Nathan McDonnell, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell
  2. 10 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Men accused over Ballyseedy Garden Centre crystal meth haul further remanded in custody

    Reports a further remand in custody for two men charged over the Ballyseedy Garden Centre crystal meth haul, with details of the charges, the seizure and the bail applications.

    accused, Nathan McDonnell, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnellaccused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen