Ireland McDonnell pleads guilty to drug importation at Cork Port
Customs officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in connection with an importation dated 16 October 2023. Nathan McDonnell, 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, Co Kerry, and James Leen, 41, were charged in connection with the seizure, which the State says was imported from Mexico, stored at a garden centre, and destined for export to Australia. McDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court on 14 October 2024 to importing methylamphetamine and participating in a criminal organisation, and was remanded in custody until 17 December for sentencing. Leen, who faces five charges including directing a criminal organisation, is due to stand trial on 6 October 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Mar
2 reports - Convicted14 Oct
4 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Customs officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at Cork Port, a figure reported as 564kg in some accounts.
- Where
- The importation took place at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
- When
- The importation of methylamphetamine is dated 16 October 2023, and the seizure from the container is dated 16 February 2024.
- Cause
- The State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at a garden centre, then transported to Cork for export to Australia.
- Investigation
- McDonnell's arrest followed a joint operation by Gardaí and Revenue, with follow-up searches in Kerry and Cork.
- Charges
- Nathan McDonnell, 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, Co Kerry, was charged with importing methylamphetamine and participating in a criminal organisation between 16 October 2023 and 12 February 2024.
- James Leen, 41, faces five charges including directing the activities of a criminal organisation and possessing crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee.
- In court
- McDonnell pleaded guilty to two of the five charges before the Special Criminal Court on 14 October 2024.
- Leen's trial is set for 6 October 2025.
- Sentence
- McDonnell was remanded in custody until 17 December 2024 for sentencing.
- Other details
- The High Court wound up Ballyseedy Restaurants Ltd on a petition by Revenue after the company owed more than €1 million.
44 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe bail hearing of the two men was adjourned for a week by the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCustoms officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, estimated at €32.8 million, in a container at the Port of Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNathan McDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcDonnell pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to drug importation and to facilitating an organised crime gang. (rte.ie)
- whatGardaí and Revenue seized 564kg of methamphetamine estimated to be worth €32.8 million. (rte.ie)
- whatA businessman pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe charges are in connection with a €33m crystal meth seizure. (extra.ie)
- whatNathan McDonnell pleaded guilty to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang in relation to the State's largest crystal meth haul. (irishtimes.com)
- whereJames Leen is also charged with possessing crystal meth worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe drugs were seized from a container at Cork Port on 16 February 2024. (rte.ie)
- whereThe importation took place at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe importation charge is dated 16 October 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. (rte.ie)
- whenGardaí and Revenue seized 564kg of methamphetamine worth an estimated €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on 16 February. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe importation of methylamphetamine took place on October 16th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- 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, rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to McDonnell's arrest. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- chargeJames Leen faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeNathan McDonnell has been charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the premises. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port on 16 October 2023. (rte.ie)
- chargeMcDonnell also pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation between 16 October 2023 and 12 February 2024. (rte.ie)
- chargeLeen faces five charges, including directing the activities of a criminal organisation. (rte.ie)
- chargeLeen is charged with possessing crystal meth at Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee. (rte.ie)
- chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to importing methylamphetamine at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on 16 October 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMcDonnell also pleaded guilty to participating in activity that could facilitate a criminal organisation between 16 October 2023 and 12 February 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to a serious offence by a criminal organisation between October 16th 2023 and February 12th 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe two men were refused bail in February but could bring a fresh application to the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe application was adjourned until March 21st with defence and prosecution consent. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe men will face their next District Court appearance on March 27th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMcDonnell was arraigned on two of the five charges against him. (irishmirror.ie, rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtMcDonnell was remanded in custody until 17 December, when he will be sentenced. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtThe prosecution asked for McDonnell's sentence hearing to be listed for the week of 16 December. (rte.ie)
- courtA trial date of 6 October 2025 was set for co-accused James Leen. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe businessman has pleaded guilty to two charges. (extra.ie)
- courtThe High Court wound up Ballyseedy Restaurants Ltd on a petition by Revenue. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcDonnell was remanded in custody until 17 December, when he is to be sentenced. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcDonnell has been remanded in custody for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe men may face additional charges, and the Director of Public Prosecution's directions were required. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at a garden centre before being transported to Cork. (rte.ie)
- otherThe State's case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at a garden centre, then transported to Cork for export to Australia. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe company owed Revenue more than €1 million. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Nov2024Ballyseedy restaurant is wound up after boss pleads guilty to drugs haul
Reports the guilty plea of Nathan McDonnell at the Special Criminal Court, his remand in custody for sentencing, and the High Court winding up of Ballyseedy Restaurants Ltd over more than €1 million owed to Revenue.
convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell - 14 Oct2024Businessman pleads guilty to two charges in connection with €33m crystal meth seizure
The article body is unusable template code. Only the headline gives facts. Location and incident date are not stated. Republic of Ireland status is inferred from the Irish outlet and is not stated in the text.
accused - 14 Oct2024Kerry businessman pleads guilty to two charges over record-breaking crystal meth haul
Adds that McDonnell pleaded guilty to two of five charges in the Special Criminal Court on 14 October 2024, that he was remanded in custody until sentencing on 17 December, and that co-accused James Leen's trial was set for 6 October 2025.
convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnellaccused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen - 14 Oct2024Businessman pleads guilty over Cork crystal meth seizure
Reports McDonnell's guilty plea before the Special Criminal Court on 14 October 2024 to drug importation and facilitating a criminal organisation. Sentencing is listed for 17 December, and Leen's trial is set for 6 October 2025.
convicted, Nathan McDonnell, 44, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnellaccused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leen - 14 Oct2024Kerry 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 - 14 Mar2024Bail hearing for two charged over €32.8m crystal meth seizure adjourned
Reports the High Court bail adjournment, the charges against James Leen and Nathan McDonnell, the seizure of 543kg of crystal meth at Cork Port, and possible additional charges.
accused, James Leen, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Leenaccused, Nathan McDonnell, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan McDonnell