Man accused of smuggling €32m crystal meth shipment bunks up with Fat Freddie in prison
James Leen (42) — who is on remand awaiting trial in the Special Criminal Court — was transferred to the Midlands prison a fortnight ago and is now being housed on the D1 landing.
One of Leen's closest neighbours on D1 is cocaine dealer Gerard Hayes from Cobh, Co Cork, who was described in court as a 'serious drugs player' and is serving a 10 year sentence for offences including drug dealing, money laundering and possession of large quantities of ammunition.
The nearby D2 landing on the same wing is where Freddie Thompson is jailed.
Fat Freddie Thompson
The senior Kinahan gang member is serving a life sentence for the murder of David 'Daithi' Douglas, who was shot dead in his partner's shoe shop in Dublin in July 2016.
Sources have described Leen, from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, as well behaved during his time on remand.
'He's quiet and keeping his head down,' a source said. 'Word is he was moved up here because his trial is coming up in October and also Cork Prison is bursting at the seams due to overcrowding.'
Leen is due to face trial in the Special Criminal Court on October 6 on five charges including directing a criminal organisation and drug trafficking.
A second individual charged in connection with the record sized haul of crystal meth was disgraced garden centre owner and businessman Nathan McDonnell
Consignment
McDonnell (44) was sentenced to 12 years by the non-jury Special Criminal Court in February. The father of three was once regarded as a leading figure in business in the Tralee area.
He was to be paid €150,000 by an Irish crime gang based in Kerry for storing a large machine containing the drugs. The consignment, which was owned by the cartel, had a street value of €32.4 million.
Nathan McDonnell is in jail
The drugs were stored at McDonnell's Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Co Kerry, with the former businessman also helping to arrange for the consignment's transportation to Australia.
His own business, which employed 140 people, had run into serious financial problems.
McDonnell, of Ballyroe, Tralee, Co Kerry, admitted importing methylamphetamine, on October 16, 2023, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
He also pleaded guilty to being involved in, or contributing to, with knowledge of a criminal organisation, the importation and supply of a controlled drug between October 2023 and February last year.
It's understood he is considered by authorities as remaining under threat from Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and, for his own safety, is set to remain in Portlaoise Prison where he was seriously assaulted.
Each time McDonnell appeared in court a significant armed escort operation was put in place to ensure his protection.
The Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful and ruthless in the world, is regarded as an ongoing threat to his life, even in prison, for fear he may provide information to the gardaí.
James Leen
News in 90 Seconds - Sunday July 13
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