Courts / Wicklow / Report

Anglo search warrants "unlawful and unconstitutional", jury hears

Summary

During the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, a jury heard that warrants used by Gardaí to search banking premises in 2009 and 2010 were unlawful and unconstitutional. Detective Sergeant Brian Mahon testified that he had obtained the warrants under Section 20 of the Companies Act and that Gardaí carried out searches of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society offices, seizing documents and computer hard drives. Cross‑examination confirmed that the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had ruled the warrants unlawful and unconstitutional, yet the seized evidence was still to be presented to the jury. Judge John Aylmer informed the jury that the trial would now likely finish by mid‑March, and warned against seeking external information. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Anglo search warrants "unlawful and unconstitutional", jury hears. Charges or matters: to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2002 and 2007 Other
• 2002 to 2007 Other
• 2017-01-11 Publication

Why: He said he required warrants from the district court under Section 20 of the Companies Act in order to enter the premises lawfully. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report