Willie McAteer trial deliberations adjourned over conspiracy charge

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Jury deliberations in the trial of four bank executives, including Willie McAteer, were adjourned on 26 May 2016 because of difficulties involving one juror. The proceedings were reported on 26 May 2016. Deliberations were due to resume on Monday, according to the report.

Willie McAteer, Peter Fitzpatrick, Denis Casey and John Bowe had all pleaded not guilty. The charge alleged that they had conspired with each other and others to mislead investors about Anglo Irish Bank’s financial health. The allegation concerned a €7.2 billion scheme of circular transactions between 1 March and 30 September 2008, intended to bolster the bank’s balance sheet.

Judge Martin Nolan had completed his directions to the jury on the day described in the report as “Tuesday of last week”. Jurors had started hearing evidence in January. The report said the proceedings were understood to be the State’s longest criminal trial.

Willie McAteer had been Anglo’s finance director, and John Bowe had headed its capital markets operation. At Irish Life & Permanent, Peter Fitzpatrick had been director of finance and Denis Casey had been chief executive.