Special Criminal Court adjourns Kerry crystal meth case over phone data security

The trial of James Leen has been adjourned at the Special Criminal Court to allow gardaí time to examine whether a server used by a Texas expert is secure, the Irish Examiner reported. The expert in Texas was selected to examine sensitive phone data belonging to proposed witnesses in the case. The 43-year-old accused man is from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, County Kerry. [1]

The adjournment follows a request made earlier in the month by senior counsel Colm Smyth, who represents James Leen, according to the Irish Examiner. As FTMQ News reported earlier, James Leen was formally arraigned on Tuesday, October 27, where he pleaded not guilty to five charges, including directing a criminal organisation and importing methamphetamine. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs had previously adjourned the case to November 2. [1][5]

The charges relate to the seizure of 564 kilograms of crystal meth at Cork Port, as reported by both the Irish Examiner and FTMQ News. FTMQ News previously reported that Irish authorities made the drug seizure on February 16, 2024. The Irish Examiner noted that this is the largest crystal meth seizure in the history of the state. [1][5]