cutting ties | 

Businessman Nathan McDonnell quits food empire after €33m crystal meth charge

McDonnell’s effective resignation on March 8th occurred a day before his wife Jackie O’Duffy McDonnell was appointed as company director.

Today at 06:58

A BUSINESSMAN charged in connection with the discovery of €32.8 million worth of crystal meth at Cork Port has formally cut all ties with his Munster based business empire.

Documents obtained by the Sunday World show Nathan McDonnell officially resigned his position as a director with Smaash Burgers effective as of March 8th.

Paperwork confirming his resignation was signed by McDonnell, who remains in custody after his High Court bail application was rejected, on March 28th.

It was subsequently filed with the Companies Registration Office.

McDonnell’s effective resignation on March 8th occurred a day before his wife Jackie O’Duffy McDonnell was appointed as company director.

Nathan McDonnell had also held the position of Chief Executive Officer at the well-known Ballyseedy Garden Centre outside Tralee.

Earlier this month, the company informed staff and suppliers it was to cease trading with the business being transferred over to Smaash Burgers Limited.

The business said debts to suppliers would not be carried over.

Last week, Mr. McDonnell (44) was denied bail in the High Court despite his father offering a €100,000 surety.

McDonnell is charged with possession of drugs worth more than €13,000 for sale or supply at the garden centre between October 27th and February 12th last.

Mr McDonnell replied “not guilty” when charged with the offence at District Court level.

His co-accused, James Leen (41), of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmourna, Listowel, faces two charges of importing methylamphetamine, known as crystal meth, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy on October 16th last.

He is also accused of possession of €13,000 or more of the drug at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between October 27th and February 12th last. He made no reply when charged with the offences.

The District Court had heard Customs officers discovered 543kg of crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8 million, when they inspected a container in the Port of Cork.

The court has heard this had been shipped from Mexico and stored in Ballyseedy Garden ­Centre since October.

The men were refused bail at their first District Court hearings in February but were entitled to bring fresh applications to the High Court.

Mr McDonnell’s bail application was heard by Ms Justice Karen O’Connor, who said the allegations in this case “are in respect of very serious offending”.

She noted defence submissions and that Mr McDonnell’s father, Michael McDonnell, told the court he would stand bail for his son and offered €100,000 from his life savings as a surety.

Det Sgt 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 flight risk concerns.

However, Ms Justice O’Connor adjourned the case to consider the matter before, on Tuesday of last week, confirming she would not be granting Mr McDonnell’s bail application.

She said the accused had the presumption of innocence but that the surety amount offered was not sufficient and no conditions would allay the Garda concerns.