Businessman pleads guilty over largest-ever seizure of crystal meth in Ireland

A businessman has pleaded guilty to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang following the largest-ever seizure of crystal meth in the history of the State.

Nathan McDonnell, aged 44, with an address at Ballyroe, Tralee, County Kerry appeared before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court this Monday morning, where he was arraigned on two of the five charges against him.

McDonnell pleaded guilty to importing one or more controlled drugs namely, Methylamphetamine on October 16, 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019, made under section 5 Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

The father-of-three also pleaded guilty to a charge that "between October 16, 2023 and February 12, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he did participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the importation, sale and supply of controlled drugs."

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McDonnell's arrest followed a joint operation by gardaí and Revenue Officers which resulted in the seizure of 564 kgs of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8 million from a container at Cork Port on February 16, last.

Follow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to the arrest of McDonnell.

The State’s case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at a garden centre before being transported to Cork, where they were destined for export to Australia. 

Roisin Lacey SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked the court to list McDonnell's sentence hearing for the week of December 16. 

Caroline O'Connell BL, representing the defendant, agreed that this date was acceptable to her client. 

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Marie Keane, remanded McDonnell in custody until December 17, when he will be sentenced.

McDonnell's co-accused James Leen also appeared before the court this morning.

Brendan Grehan SC, defending Leen, asked that a trial date be set for his client. Mr Grehan said the "worst case scenario" was that the case could take two months.

Mr Justice Hunt allocated a trial date of October 6, 2025. He adjourned the matter to November 11 for mention.

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Mr Leen, aged 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, County Kerry faces five charges including one for directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February 7, 2023 and February 16, this year.

He is also charged with the importation of Methylamphetamine, better known as crystal meth, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, County Cork on October 16, 2023.

He is further charged with possession of crystal meth at Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee between October 27, 2023 and February 12, 2024 contrary to Section 15A and Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.