The father of a Kerry businessman charged over the country's largest-ever crystal meth seizure has offered to stand bail for his son and told a court he would put forward €100,000 from his life savings.
James Leen, 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmourna, Listowel, faces two charges of drug importation at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on 16 October 2023, of methylamphetamine, known as crystal meth, and possession of the drug worth €13,000 or more at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between 27 October 2023 and 12 February 2024.
Nathan McDonnell, 44, a former company director who previously ran the Ballyseedy Garden Centre, has been charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between 27 October and 12 February.
Kerry District Court previously heard customs officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8million, when they inspected a container in the Port of Cork.
They were refused bail in February but were entitled to bring a fresh application to the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin.
The matter was listed today before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, but Mr Leen asked, via counsel, to defer his application until next Thursday.
Mr McDonnell's bail hearing went ahead and he watched the proceedings via video link from prison.
Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson of Tralee station confirmed to Theresa Lowe BL, for the State, that he was objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the case and he had flight risk concerns.
Ms Justice O'Connor noted submission from defence counsel Keith Brannigan.
Nathan McDonnell's father, Michael McDonnell, told the court he was willing to stand bail for his son and offered €100,000 from his life savings as a surety.
Ms Justice O'Connor said "the allegations in this case are in respect of very serious offending" and she wanted to consider the matter. She will deliver her ruling on Tuesday.
Earlier, the proceedings heard that the men may face additional charges and the Director of Public Prosecutions' directions were required.
They will also face their next district court appearance on 27 March.
