Anglo trial closing arguments to begin on Friday

The jury in the trial of three former officials at Anglo Irish Bank has been told closing arguments will begin in the case on Friday.

Following legal argument lasting into mid-afternoon on Thursday, Judge Patrick McCartan told the jury of six women and six men it was only fair and proper to give Dominic McGinn SC, for the prosecution, a “clean run at it”, beginning on Friday morning.

Aoife Maguire (63) of Rothe Abbey, South Circular Road, Kilmainham, Dublin, Bernard Daly (67) of Collins Avenue West, Whitehall, Dublin and Tiarnan O'Mahoney (56) of Glen Pines, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow have been charged with trying to hide accounts, connected to the former chairman of the bank, Sean FitzPatrick, from Revenue between March 2003 and December 2004.

They have pleaded not guilty.

Judge McCartan told the jury the case had reached the point that all evidence had been heard and they were moving to the conclusion of the trial, which would involves speeches from prosecution and each of the defence counsels, followed by direction from the judge.

He said he imagined a good deal of Friday and Monday would be given over to speeches.

“I would think certainly by Tuesday you will be beginning your deliberation,” he said.

He asked the jury not to go away and try to work it out in their minds.

He said they should wait until they had heard everything.