Special Criminal Court refuses further delay in Kerry crystal meth trial

The Special Criminal Court has refused to grant a further trial adjournment to James Leen, according to reports by Radio Kerry and RadioKerry.ie. The 43-year-old from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, faces five charges connected to a half-ton crystal meth seizure at Cork Port in February 2024. [1][2]

Radio Kerry reported that Senior Counsel Colm Smyth, representing Mr Leen, applied for the adjournment during a dispute with the state over the extent of disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The defense intends to send material related to a phone to Texas. [1]

Mr Leen's five charges include directing the activities of a criminal gang as well as four drug offenses, Radio Kerry reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Special Criminal Court informed him that he cannot receive another delay in his trial. [1][7]

The Special Criminal Court is a juryless court based in Dublin that tries cases involving terrorism and serious organised crime. It was first convened in 1939 and reconstituted in 1972 to allow prosecutions without the risk of juror tampering. [5][6]