Trial of ex-Anglo Irish executives gets under way

Three former Anglo Irish Bank executives have pleaded not guilty before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this morning as their trial before a jury of eight men and seven women got under way.

Seán FitzPatrick (65), of Greystones, Co Wicklow; William McAteer (63), of Rathgar, Dublin; and Pat Whelan (51), of Malahide, face 16 charges each of unlawfully providing financial assistance to individuals for the purpose of buying shares in Anglo Irish Bank in 2008. Each charge relates to a specific person who allegedly received financial assistance between July 10th and July 17th, 2008.

The three accused were arraigned for a second time this morning because of the requirement for a new juror.

The charges were read out to the three men by the court register. Standing before the court Mr Fitzpatrick, Mr Whelan and Mr McAteer responded one after another “not guilty” to the charges, as they did on Friday last.

Judge Martin Nolan explained to the jury panel that the men are accused of allowing “financial assistance for the buying of Anglo Irish Bank’s own shares”.

Judge Martin Nolan told jurors last week that the trial could take four months. It will sit between 10.30am and 4pm each day.

The list of possible witnesses includes Seán Quinn snr and other members of his family as well as the 10 other borrowers mentioned in the charges. Other listed witnesses include 42 gardaí. The Irish Times.