The former finance director of Anglo Irish Bank told gardaí he was involved in the allegedly illegal Maple Ten deal but denied he was “instrumental” in it.

The trial of three former Anglo Irish Bank directors has heard that the Financial Regulator fully supported the bank’s allegedly illegal plan to protect their share price.

Ireland’s once richest man Seán Quinn was facing regular demands for hundreds of millions of euro from late 2007 on in order to maintain his shareholding in Anglo Irish Bank.

The trial of three former Anglo Irish Bank directors has heard from its first witnesses including the former CEO of the Quinn Group.