Investigation into Anglo Irish Bank activities extended

An investigation into the activities at Anglo Irish Bank has been extended to include more loans received by senior executives, it was revealed this afternoon.

The €1m inquiry by the country's accountancy watchdog will now investigate the role of top officials in overseeing a series of loans to senior staff.

Special Investigator John Purcell will examine how Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick, and Directors David Drumm and William McAteer managed these loans.

Mr Purcell was initially brought in by the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board in February to investigate directors' loans at Anglo.