Nathan McDonnell to appeal court decision refusing him bail

TRALEE businessman Nathan McDonnell is to appeal the decision to refuse him bail to the Court of Appeal.

The 43-year old who is charged in relation to Ireland’s biggest ever crystal meth haul appeared before Tralee District Court via video-link last week.

During the brief hearing his solicitor Padraig O’Connell indicated to the court that Mr McDonnell would appeal the High Court decision not to grant him bail to the Court of Appeal.

“It was most surprising [the decision to refuse bail] It is to be appealed to the Court of Appeal.

“Three judges might come to a more reasonable decision,” said Mr O’Connell.

Mr McDonnell remains in custody in Portlaoise prison after bail was refused in the High Court. Ms Justice Karen O’Connor said there were no conditions that would allay fears he was a flight risk.

Sgt Chris Manton for the state told Tralee District Court that the book of evidence was not ready and he was seeking a further adjournment of the case to April 10 when Mr McDonnell will appear before the court again via video-link.

His co-accused James Leen also appeared before Tralee District Court last week.

He is custody in Cork prison. Mr Leen’s case was also adjourned for the book of evidence and he will also appear before Tralee District Court on April 10 again.

His solicitor Pat Mann said that there was no difficulty with the adjournment.

Mr McDonnell and Mr Leen were both arrested following the seizure of more than 500kg worth of methylamphetamine or Crystal Meth in a container at Cork port last month.

It is alleged the drugs were hidden in a recycling machine that had been imported from Mexico and stored at Mr McDonnell’s garden centre before being transported to Cork, destined for export to Australia.

Mr McDonnell, from Ballyroe, Tralee, and Mr Leen from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry are both charged with possession of more than €13,000 worth of the drug for sale or supply.

The offence is alleged to have happened at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between October 27 last year and February 12 this year.

Mr Leen is also charged with importation of the drug, valued at more than €13,000, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16 last year.

Both men were denied bail at Tralee District Court when they were first charged and brought there last month, and subsequently went to the High Court.

Mr McDonnell’s father had offered to put up €100,000 for bail for his son but this was deemed not a substantial amount given the nature of the allegation. No date has been given for the bail appeal case.