Suspect held over €33m haul of crystal meth loses bail appeal

A Kerry businessman charged over Ireland’s biggest crystal meth haul has lost his appeal against a decision to refuse him bail.

Former garden centre CEO Nathan McDonnell (43) remained in custody yesterday after the Court of Appeal ruled the High Court was right to deny him bail over the €32.8m drug seizure.

He had challenged the refusal but the three-judge appeal court yesterday agreed that Mr McDonnell was a flight risk. Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said concerns Mr McDonnell could abscond were not assuaged by his father’s offer of a €100,000 bail surety, or his ties to the jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, a barrister for the State said she understood an application will be made for the trial to be held in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Mr McDonnell and co-accused James Leen were both arrested and charged in February following the seizure of more than 500kg of crystal meth in a container in the port of Cork.

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

Mr McDonnell, from Ballyroe, Tralee, and Mr Leen (41), from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, are both charged with possession of more than €13,000 of crystal meth 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 at Cork Port last October 16.

Both men were refused bail, first at Tralee District Court and then in the High Court.

According to the prosecution, Mr McDonnell created a false invoice for the machine to be imported and paid the fees to have it released. He allegedly stored and despatched it from his business, and was to get €150,000 for his part in the operation.

It was also alleged he obtained details from an innocent party in Australia to get a legitimate shipping address.

His barrister Michael Bowman SC said the High Court judge who believed the €100,000 bail surety offer was not adequate had connected this amount to the value of the drugs seized. He said it should instead have been viewed against his father’s circumstances.

Mr McDonnell was at the hearing and was returned to custody after the appeal was dismissed.