Cowen: Anglo not mentioned in economy discussion

BRIAN COWEN admitted having a wide-ranging economic discussion with three senior Anglo figures after his golf outing with Seán FitzPatrick — but insisted the perilous state of the bank’s finances were never mentioned.

During a bruising Dáil showdown on his previously undisclosed dealings with FitzPatrick in 2008, Mr Cowen angrily denied ever doing favours for business figures, insisting he was the victim of political “smears” and “conspiracy theories”.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore insisted it was not credible that the Taoiseach had not discussed the deteriorating situation at Anglo with FitzPatrick during their July 2008 outing.