Thursday 29 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. 0890Drug driving · Co. Kerry · 23 Aug 2025

Wife of jailed Ballyseedy Garden Centre owner summonsed over drug-driving in Tralee

Jacqueline O'Duffy, 44, a woman from Ballyroe, Tralee, was summonsed for allegedly driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the blood drug limit at Clogherbrien, Tralee, on 23 August 2025. She is the wife of Nathan McDonnell, who is serving a 12-year sentence for allowing his Ballyseedy Garden Centre to be used to store a machine containing more than €32 million of crystal meth linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. She appeared at Tralee District Court on 3 June 2026, where her solicitor raised concern that the public were aware of the summons before it came before the court. The matter was adjourned to 24 June 2026 for full disclosure and a hearing date or plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The alleged offence was driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the blood drug limit.
Where
The alleged drug driving occurred at Clogherbrien, Tralee, County Kerry.
When
The alleged drug driving occurred on 23 August 2025.
Charges
Jacqueline O'Duffy was charged with driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the blood drug limit.
In court
  • She appeared at Tralee District Court on 3 June 2026, where her solicitor raised concern that the public were aware of the summons before it came before the court.
  • The matter was adjourned to 24 June 2026 for full disclosure and a hearing date or plea.
Other details
  • Jacqueline O'Duffy is the wife of Nathan McDonnell, who ran the Ballyseedy Garden Centre in County Kerry.
  • The meth came from an organised crime group with links to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico and was intended to travel to Australia.
Sentence
Nathan McDonnell is serving a 12-year sentence for allowing his business to be used to store a machine containing more than €32 million of crystal meth.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged drug driving occurred at Clogherbrien, Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged drug driving occurred on 23 August 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeShe was charged with driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the blood drug limit. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe solicitor expressed concern that the general public were aware of the summons before it came before the court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 24 June 2026 for full disclosure and for a hearing date or to take a plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNathan McDonnell is serving a 12-year sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe sentence was for allowing his business to be used to store a machine containing more than €32 million of crystal meth. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe meth came from an organised crime group with links to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe machine was intended to travel on to Australia. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Jun2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Wife of jailed Ballyseedy Garden Centre owner summonsed over drug-driving

    Her solicitor applied for full disclosure and raised concern that the general public were aware of the summons before it came before the court. The matter was adjourned to 24 June 2026 for full disclosure and a hearing date or plea.

    accused, 44, female, irish (judged from name)