Bail hearing delayed in €32m crystal meth case
APPLICATIONS for bail for two men charged over the country’s largest-ever crystal meth seizure have been adjourned for a week.
Nathan McDonnell and James Leen, both from Kerry, had been remanded in custody and were due to apply for release on bail pending their trials.
However, counsel for Mr McDonnell told High Court Judge Paul Burns that the matter could be adjourned for one week, with the consent of the DPP.
Barrister Keith Branagan said the defence needed to ‘gather more information to support the application’.
Mr McDonnell, 44, a director of 11 companies with a turnover of between €4.5million and €5million, including the well-known Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee, Co. Kerry, has been charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale at the garden centre between October 27, 2023, and February 12 of this year.
This carries a minimum 10-year prison term and maximum of a life sentence.
James Leen, 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023, of methylamphetamine, known as crystal meth, and possession of the drug worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between the same dates.
The district court previously heard that customs officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8million, when they inspected a container in the Port of Cork.
That court heard that the men may face additional charges. They will also face their next district court appearance on March 27. The two men were refused bail in February but were entitled to bring a fresh application to the High Court.
When they were refused bail, gardaí said the State was objecting to bail for both men on several grounds. Sgt Tony Griffin told the court that gardaí were objecting to bail on the strength of the evidence, including CCTV footage allegedly showing Mr McDonnell loading the machine in the container for transport.
Mr McDonnell, represented by solicitor Padraig O’Connell, said he has not admitted to the sale or supply of drugs and solely admitted to storing the machine.