Seán FitzPatrick gets free legal aid for upcoming trial

Former Anglo chairman Seán FitzPatrick has been granted legal aid for his upcoming trial on charges of failing to disclose loans from another bank.

Mr FitzPatrick, 65, faces 12 counts of failing to disclose to auditors &the true value of loans worth at least €139m given to him or those connected to him, by Irish Nationwide Building Society from 2002 to 2007 while he was an officer of the bank.

His solicitor, Michael Staines, told Judge Mary Ellen Ring his client, who was not present in court, had “just emerged from bankruptcy”.

Judge Ring granted legal aid and three counsel to Mr FitzPatrick yesterday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The trial is set for February 2, with a pre-trial hearing in December.