Courts / Wicklow / Report

Former Anglo Company Secretary said she found ODCE letter "quite threatening"

Summary

In January 2009, former Anglo Irish Bank secretary Natasha Mercer received a letter from Kevin O'Connell of the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement demanding documentation from the bank. Mercer described the letter's tone as "quite threatening" and felt compelled to inform the bank's chairman, Donal O'Connor, immediately. She replied within days, noting that auditors had extensive access to the bank's working files. The letter warned that failure to provide assistance could result in offences. The case involves Seán FitzPatrick, aged 68, who is on trial for 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 charges of misleading auditors and five charges of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. FitzPatrick's alleged loans rose from about €10 million in 2002 to roughly €100 million in 2007, with accusations that the amounts were artificially reduced for two weeks around the bank's financial year‑end. The trial continues. Seán FitzPatrick pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former Anglo Company Secretary said she found ODCE letter "quite threatening". Charges or matters: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 2009 Other
• 2002 to 2007 Other
• 2017-01-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report