Seán FitzPatrick Trial: Enforcer blasted for ‘systemic failure’

The State body charged with prosecuting white-collar crime was subject to scathing criticism from across the floor in the Dáil yesterday, in the wake of the acquittal of ex-Anglo chairman Seán FitzPatrick.

The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, which led the investigations into Anglo, was guilty of a “catastrophic systemic failure” which has “shattered public confidence” in the body, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said.

“The State’s capacity to investigate serious white-collar crime has been shown to be inept, negligible wasteful and virtually redundant,” said Mr Martin.