Courts / Wicklow / Report

Trial of former Anglo chairman becomes longest running criminal trial in Irish history

Date
2017-02-28
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Wicklow
County
Wicklow

Summary

The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, aged 68, has entered its 90th day, making it the longest criminal trial in Irish history. The prosecution alleges that FitzPatrick and his family artificially reduced multi‑million euro loans for two weeks around the bank's financial year‑end by taking short‑term loans from other sources, including Irish Nationwide Building Society. The case centres on FitzPatrick's alleged failure to disclose these loans to auditors between 2002 and 2007. FitzPatrick denies all charges. The trial began in September and was expected to finish by Christmas, but legal arguments have delayed it. Judge John Aylmer told jurors they could take breaks and that the trial would likely extend into April. FitzPatrick faces 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 for misleading auditors and five for furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial of former Anglo chairman becomes longest running criminal trial in Irish history. Charges or matters: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Sean FitzPatrick

Defendant

Charges: 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request