Crystal meth accused has bail application delayed

A Kerry man charged over Ireland’s biggest ever crystal meth haul has had his bail application delayed for another two weeks at the High Court.

James Leen (41) was due to seek bail today but his application was adjourned due to the large number of other hearings before the court.

After his case could not be reached by the end of the busy court list this afternoon, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs put it back to April 12.

His co-accused Nathan McDonnell (43), a former garden centre CEO, was refused bail by the same court two days ago.

They were both arrested following the seizure in February of €32.8m worth of methylamphetamine in a container in the port of Cork.

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

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

The offence is alleged to have happened at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between October 27, 2023 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, last October 16.

Both men were refused bail at Tralee District Court when they were first charged and brought there last month, and subsequently went to the High Court. At a High Court sitting at Dublin’s Cloverhill courthouse today, barrister Teresa Lowe for the state, which is opposing Mr Leen’s application, said the hearing would take at least an hour and asked for an adjournment.

Defence barrister Ronan Prendergast said the case had been in the list since March 7. He had been given a “very detailed” note of the state’s bail objections which he had discussed with his client. Mr Leen’s father and son were present in court.

Asking for an earlier adjournment date, Mr Prendergast suggested if the prosecuting officer Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson was not available another garda could give evidence.

“It’s an extremely complex case and the only person who can deal with the complex issues is Det Sgt Henderson,” Ms Lowe said before the judge granted the adjournment.

On Tuesday, Judge Karen O’Connor refused bail to Nathan McDonnell, saying there were no conditions that could allay her fears that he was a flight risk.

His father Michael had offered to put up his own “life savings” of €100,000 to secure bail but the judge said this was “not a substantial amount” given the nature of the “sophisticated operation” allegedly behind the €32.8 drug seizure.

Both men’s latest district court appearance in Tralee took place yesterday, when Mr McDonnell’s solicitor said he would be appealing his bail refusal.

Prosecutors were given more time for the preparation of books of evidence and the cases were adjourned to April 10.