ANGLO TRIAL: Legal argument continues in absence of jury

By Conor Gallagher

The trial of three former Anglo Irish Bank executives accused of illegally lending money to buy Anglo shares is continuing in legal argument.

The jury was due back today (Monday)to hear one of the final prosecution witnesses. However continuing legal argument means the trial will not continue in evidence until tomorrow (Tuesday)at the earliest.

Former Anglo Chairman Sean FitzPatrick is accused, with William McAteer and Pat Whelan, of providing funding for the purchase of its own shares in contravention of the 1963 Companies Act. 

They have been charged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with 16 counts of providing unlawful financial assistance to 16 individuals in July 2008 to buy shares in the bank. The 16 individuals are six members of the Quinn family and the Maple Ten group of investors.

Mr Whelan has also been charged with being privy to the fraudulent alteration of loan facility letters to seven individuals in October 2008.

Mr FitzPatrick (65) of Greystones, Co Wicklow, Mr McAteer (63) of Rathgar, Dublin and Mr Whelan (51) of Malahide, Dublin have pleaded not guilty to all charges.