Businessman pleads guilty to importing drugs and facilitating criminal gang in record crystal meth sale – The Irish Times

A County Kerry businessman has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to drug importation and complicity with an organized crime gang in the largest ever collection of crystal meth in the state’s history .

Nathan McDonnell (44), with an address in Ballyroe, Tralee, appeared before the three-judge court without a jury this morning, where he was arraigned on two of the five charges against him.

McDonnell, former managing director of the Ballyseedy Group, pleaded guilty on Monday to importing one or more controlled drugs, namely methylamphetamine, on October 16, 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy. This contravened the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019, made under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, and at or about the time the drug was imported , the street value of the controlled drug was €13,000 or more.

The father of three also pleaded guilty to the fact that between October 16, 2023 and February 12, 2024, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organization, he participated in or contributed to activities with intent or recklessness. as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offense by this criminal organization or any of its members, namely the importation, sale and supply of controlled drugs.

McDonnell’s arrest follows a joint operation by Gardaí and revenue officers which resulted in the seizure of 564kg of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8 million in a container from the port of Cork on February 16.

Subsequent searches in counties Kerry and Cork led to McDonnell’s arrest. The State’s argument is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at the Ballyseedy Garden Center before being transported to Cork, where they were intended for export to Australia.

Roisin Lacey SC, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), asked the court to schedule McDonnell’s sentencing hearing for the week commencing December 16. Caroline O’Connell BL, representing the defendant, said this date was acceptable to her client.

Judge 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 in court on Monday. Brendan Grehan SC, on behalf of Mr Leen, requested that a trial date be set for his client. Mr Grehan said the “worst case scenario” was the case could take two months.

Judge Hunt set a trial date for October 6 next year and adjourned the case to November 11 for mention.

Mr Leen (41) of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry faces five charges, including one of directing the activities of a criminal organization between February 7, 2023 and February 16 last year.

He is also charged with the importation of methylamphetamine, better known as crystal meth, into the Cork port of Ringaskiddy on October 16, 2023.

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