The former financial watchdog has said he was not alarmed when one-time billionaire tycoon Sean Quinn called personally at his office and mentioned he had a secret shareholding in Anglo Irish Bank.

A director at Anglo Irish Bank was left “speechless” after a representative from the financial regulator suggested the bank consider releasing the Quinn Group from a €250m guarantee.

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.

GREENCORE chief executive David Dilger warned the company’s Icelandic suitor, Exista, could be gobbled up by Greencore if it attempts a takeover of the Irish convenience food group.