The trial of the former financier, Mr Finbarr Ross, who was extradited to Northern Ireland last year after living in the US for 15 years, is to start in Belfast's High Court on Monday. Mr Ross faces 41 charges relating to the collapse of his company, International Investments Ltd, in 1984.

Mr Ross (54), from Cork, appeared briefly in court yesterday to deny the charges. He looked markedly aged compared to pictures which appeared in the press when he was returned from the US last year.