Anglo auditor in probe doubt

The Oireachtas banking inquiry may be blocked from questioning Anglo Irish Bank’s auditor during the Celtic Tiger boom because of Seán FitzPatrick’s imminent trial.

The cross-party group discussed the matter during a private meeting yesterday, leading to concern a key part of the year-long investigation may not be fully examined.

Details provided last night show a number of auditors and regulators will be spoken to over the coming weeks. The officials include Ronan Murphy from PwC, Terence O’Rourke from KPMG and Paul Smith of Ernst and Young. The latter audited Anglo Irish during the boom.