Wife of Kerry crystal meth businessman Nathan McDonnell summonsed over drug-driving

Jacqueline O’Duffy, aged 44, is accused of driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the legal blood drug limit

Jacqueline O’Duffy is the wife of Nathan McDonnell who ran the long-established Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Co Kerry. File picture: Domnik Walsh

The wife of a Kerry businessman who was jailed last year for importing millions of euro of drugs and storing it at his Tralee garden centre has appeared on a court summons list accused of drug driving offences.

Jacqueline O’Duffy, aged 44, of Clashaphúca, Ballyroe, Tralee, is accused of driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while exceeding the legal blood drug limit on August 23, 2025, at Clogherbrien, Tralee.

Ms O'Duffy is the wife of Nathan McDonnell, former owner of the Ballyseedy Garden Centre. Mr McDonnell is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for storing more than €32m worth of crystal meth in a machine on the premises.

When Ms O'Duffy's case, number 316 on the list, was called, her solicitor Pádraig O’Connell said he was appearing on her behalf and applied for full disclosure.

However, Mr O’Connell also said he wished to raise concerns that details of the summons were known publicly before the case came before the court, saying "there will be an issue.”

When Judge David Waters said he was not quite sure what the solicitor meant, Mr O’Connell said he did not wish to go into it.

The matter was adjourned until June 24 for full disclosure and either the setting of a hearing date or the entry of a plea.

Ms O’Duffy was not in court, and was not required to attend.