Sean FitzPatrick evidence hearing moved to Wednesday

Evidence in the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, who allegedly failed to disclose the true value of multi-million euro loans, will begin next Wednesday.

A jury of six men and six women was formed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday. Judge Mary Ellen Ring had told the jurors to return to court next Monday when the trial was due to begin in evidence.

On Friday lawyers for both sides told the court that legal discussions without the jury are now likely to continue into Tuesday. Judge Ring asked the Courts Service to contact the jurors and to tell them to return on Wednesday.

On Tuesday Mr FitzPatrick (66) was arraigned on charges connected with failing to disclose the true value of loans given to him, or people connected to him, by Irish Nationwide Building Society from 2002 to 2007 while he was an officer of Anglo Irish Bank.

The accused, of Whitshed Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, is charged with 27 counts under the Companies Act 1990. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The judge told the jury: “The requirement is to come to the jury service in an impartial fashion. You will be obliged to take an oath or affirmation to well and truly try the issue as to whether Mr FitzPatrick be guilty or not guilty. That’s all you’re asked to do.”

The trial is scheduled to last until Friday May 28th.

The jury includes a woman who works in the home, a child carer, a self-employed property manager, a self-employed computer programmer, an unemployed IT worker, an engineer and carpenter.

Barristers for the State and the accused objected to six people, including a TV3 news-room editor and a public representative. Around 31 people were excused from jury service after giving reasons to the judge in private.