Courts / Wicklow / Report

Gardaí never investigated document shredding, Sean FitzPatrick trial hears

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick (68) faces 27 charges under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 counts of misleading auditors and five of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The trial has focused on the destruction of documents by Kevin O'Connell, a lead investigator from the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE). O'Connell admitted shredding five pages relevant to the investigation in May 2015, claiming panic and a wrong decision, and disclosed the act to his superior, Ian Drennan, three days later. He acknowledged that the act was a criminal offence and that no Garda investigation or prosecution followed. The defence argued that a letter from the Chief Prosecution Solicitor offered O'Connell "effective immunity" from prosecution, a claim the DPP rejected. Sean Fitzpatrick pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardaí never investigated document shredding, Sean FitzPatrick trial hears. Charges or matters: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 12 Other
• June 2011 Other
• November 2011 Other
• 2002 to 2007 Other
• 2017-02-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report