THE FORMER CHAIRMAN and chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank Sean FitzPatrick said “it’s a wonderful day” as he was today acquitted on all charges against him at the Circuit Criminal Court.
FitzPatrick’s trial had been the longest-running criminal trial in the history of the State.
This morning – the 126th day of proceedings – presiding judge John Aylmer said he will direct the jury to acquit the 68-year-old on all counts.
Outside the court, FitzPatrick told RTE reporters that the trial had been a very long, tiring and difficult time for his family and for himself.
“Thankfully today the trial is over,” he told reporters.
He thanked his legal team and his lawyers.
“It’s a wonderful day for me and my family,” FitzPatrick said.
“I appreciate the media’s restraint in this current trial and I would hope that my privacy and that of my family is respected over the coming days.”
He stated that he had no further comments to make.
The former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank was on trial in relation to an alleged failure to disclose the extent of loans to the bank’s auditors. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His ruling came after lengthy submissions from the defence arguing that the case should not go before the jury because of flaws in the investigation process and in the prosecution case.
Lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecution argued that the trial should continue and should be decided by the jury.
Judge Aylmer said that after considering the arguments from both sides he had decided that in the interests of the accused’s constitutional right to a fair trial he would direct the jury to find the former banking executive not guilty.
The jury will be told tomorrow that all charges have been dropped and the jurors will be dismissed.
thejournal_ie / SoundCloud
With additional reporting from Declan Brennan.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say