Two men charged in connection with the biggest seizure of crystal meth in the State are to be tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court, the district court in Killarney has heard.
One of the accused, businessman Nathan McDonnell, "has grasped the nettle", his solicitor Padraig O'Connell told the court.
Both men are to appear in person before the District Court in Tralee tomorrow.
The matter was for mention in Killarney regarding Mr McDonnell’s likely approach to the allegations.
Solicitor Padraig O’Connell said the matter was at his request to indicate the position regarding his client going forward on a signed plea.
State Solicitor Diane Reidy told Judge David Waters that both men would be sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court.
Judge Waters said there was no provision under the 1939 Act for sending an accused person forward to that court on a signed plea, he believed.
Mr McDonnell's solicitor said there was now a decision to send to the Special Criminal Court and this was the first he had heard of this decision.
"He is grasping the nettle. He is going to take a certain course," Mr O’Connell said of his client, Mr McDonnell.
Mr McDonnell, aged 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, is accused of the possession of crystal meth worth in excess of €13,000 at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, between last October and February, and with possession of the drugs 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, aged 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 or supply at Ballyseedy and of importation of the drugs at Cork Port.
The dates are from October 2023 to February last. He is represented by solicitor Patrick Mann.
