The Belfast jury in the trial of Cork-born financier Mr George Finbarr Ross, who denies duping investors of his Gibraltar-based International Investments which collapsed owing millions, is expected to retire today to consider its verdict.
Trial judge Lord Justice McCollum, who yesterday continued outlining the case to the jury, said it could take him another hour to conclude his submissions.
Mr Ross (55), denies three charges, one of attempting to procure investments and two of actually procuring investments from two depositors totalling £59,060 (€75,044) between December 14th, 1983, and January 14th the following year.
The charges relate to a meeting at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on December 15th, 1983, when the prosecution claims Mr Ross - knowing that International was near bankrupt - told brokers and investors the company was a viable investment.
Mr Ross says he knew nothing of IIL's impending financial problems which finally led to the company going into liquidation in June 1984, owing more than £7 million to investors.
When the trial began at Belfast Crown Court on September 7th, Mr Ross faced 36 other charges of false accounting.
However, on Monday Lord Justice McCollum, following legal submissions, directed the jury to find Mr Ross not guilty of those counts.
