Courts / Wicklow / Report
Gardai not involved in drafting of criticised statements, Sean FitzPatrick trial hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the court heard that Gardaí were not involved in drafting witness statements that a judge criticised in the prosecution of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick. Lawyers for FitzPatrick, aged 68, had argued that statements from auditors were produced through coaching and cross‑contamination. The jury was shown a June 2015 letter from Detective Superintendent Gerard Walsh stating that the Garda unit seconded to the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) had not drafted the statements. The hearing also covered the admission by lead investigator Kevin O'Connell of his involvement in wrongful practices, including shredding documents relevant to the investigation. O'Connell recounted discovering 16 pages of documents, shredding them, and later admitting the mistake to director Ian Drennan. The court also examined CCTV footage of O'Connell bringing documents to a shredding room and his subsequent regret. Sean FitzPatrick pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gardai not involved in drafting of criticised statements, Sean FitzPatrick trial hears. Charges or matters: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 2015 Adjournment
- June 2015 Adjournment
- December 2010 Other
- December 5, 2010 Other
- 2002 to 2008 Other
- 2002 to 2007 Other
- 2017-02-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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