Three new jurors sworn in for FitzPatrick trial

Three new jurors have been sworn in for the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick on charges of misleading the bank’s auditors about millions of euro in loans.

Last week, a specially enlarged jury panel of 15 had been sworn in at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the trial, which is expected to run for three months.

Yesterday, three of those jurors were excused and new jurors sworn in to replace them.

Mr FitzPatrick, aged 68, of Whitshed Rd, Greystones, Co Wicklow, is accused of failing to disclose to the bank’s auditor Ernst and Young the details of director’s loans he received from Anglo between November 2002 and February 2008.

He pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. These include 22 charges of making a misleading, false or deceptive statement to auditors and five charges of furnishing false information in the years 2002 to 2007.

Judge John Aylmer told the jury that he was giving them a final opportunity to reflect on whether they were certain that they could approach the case with impartiality.

He told them that they must not seek out information on the case on the internet or through social media.

He asked them not to discuss the case with family or friends.