Sentencing adjourned of Kerry businessman Nathan McDonnell over record crystal meth seizure
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A well-known Kerry businessman who pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the biggest crystal meth seizure in the history of the State had his sentence hearing adjourned on Tuesday.
Nathan McDonnell, former chief executive of Ballyseedy Restaurant Ltd in Tralee, was before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today. Mr McDonnell had pleaded guilty to drug importation into the Port of Cork and to assisting or facilitating a criminal gang to import methamphetamine — more commonly known as crystal meth.
He looked pale as he appeared before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Martin Nolan, and Judge James Faughnan. His father and sister were in court to support him.
Michael Bowman SC for the defence said that the hearing could take two hours. Mr Justice Naidoo said that the court would be unable to deal with the hearing today. Due to other court commitments, it did not have sufficient time.
Roisin Lacey SC for the State said that gardaí had travelled up from Kerry to give evidence in the hearing. The hearing being delayed “unfortunately was not conveyed” to all parties earlier, she said. The hearing would take some time due to its complicated background, she said.
Mr McDonnell appeared in court very neatly dressed with his hair gelled back from his face and wearing a white shirt and striped tie. The case will be next in for mention only on January 13.
Justice Naidoo apologised to gardaí for their journey to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for the now adjourned hearing.
Superintendent Ferghal Pattwell, Senior Investigating Officer Inspector Hugh Twomey, Det. Sgt Tommy Griffin and Det. Sgt Dave Howard all attended court from Kerry. Barrister Caroline O’Connell, BL and solicitor Eimear Griffin for McDonnell were also in court.
The case related to some €33m worth of crystal meth (546kg) which was found concealed in an industrial machine bound for export to Australia on February 15. Gardaí and Revenue officials found the drugs during a search of a shipping container at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy.
At follow-up searches in Tralee, Mr McDonnell and his co-accused, James Leen, were arrested and later charged in connection with the historic seizure of methamphetamine. Both men appeared before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday.
A court previously heard how a purpose-built electromagnetic separator machine had concealed more than half a tonne of crystal meth in a highly sophisticated manner. This machine had been shipped from Mexico and had been stored in Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee since October, a court previously heard.
Mr McDonnell had previously admitted to gardaí that he had stored the machine at Ballyseedy Garden Centre and said that he was paid €150,000 to do so. But he had denied any knowledge of the drugs through his solicitor, Padraig O'Connell.
Mr McDonnell, 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, had been charged with participating in activities to facilitate the importation, sale and supply of drugs by a criminal organisation. He was also charged with importation of the drug methylamphetamine, known as crystal meth, at Cork Port on October 16, 2023.
He was charged with possession and possession of the drug for sale or supply at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between October 27 and February 12, 2024. These two drug possession charges were withdrawn as part of the plea bargain.
Mr McDonnell was director of 11 companies with a turnover of €4.5m to €5m, including the well-known Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee, before his arrest. In August, Mr McDonnell was granted free legal aid by the Special Criminal Court.
His co-accused Mr Leen, 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, also faces multiple charges in relation to the seizure. He is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
He is also charged with drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on October 16, 2023, of methylamphetamine worth €13,000 or more; of drug possession and of drug possession for sale or supply of methylamphetamine at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27, 2023, and February 12, 2024.
Mr Leen was remanded in custody until his trial date set for October 6, 2025.