Tralee men charged with record crystal meth seizure face trial at Special Criminal Court

Judge said he believed there was no provision for sending forward to that court under a signed plea

Nathan McDonnell, left, and James Leen will appear before Tralee District Court on Tuesday.

Two Kerry men charged with the State's biggest seizure of the drug methylamphetamine — known as crystal meth — are to be tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court, the District Court in Killarney heard on Monday morning.

One of the accused, Tralee businessman Nathan McDonnell, “has grasped the nettle”, his solicitor Padraig O’Connell told the court.

Both men are to appear in person before Tralee District Court on Tuesday.

Last week, the court in Tralee heard a signed plea was perhaps being considered by Mr McDonnell and solicitor Padraig O’Connell asked for this to be mentioned on Monday in advance of the book of evidence on Tuesday.

State Solicitor Diane Reidy told Judge David Waters both men would be sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court.

Judge Waters said there was no provision for sending forward to that court under a signed plea, he believed.

Mr McDonnell’s solicitor said this was the first he had heard of the decision to send the trial forward to the Special Criminal Court.

“He is grasping the nettle. He is going to take a certain course,” Mr O’Connell said of his client Mr McDonnell.

Mr McDonnell, 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, is accused of the possession of crystal meth worth in excess of €13,000 at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between October and February, and possession for sale or supply.

He is also accused of importing the drug into Ireland, at Cork Port, and facilitating a criminal organisation to commit serious offences.

James Leen, 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, has been charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation within the State. 

Mr Leen is facing similar charges with regard to the crystal meth seizure — of possession for sale and supply at Ballyseedy and of importation at Cork Port.

The dates are between October 2023 and February 2024 last. He is represented by solicitor Patrick Mann