Evidence in Sean FitzPatrick trial will not begin for two weeks

The jury in the trial of former Anglo chairman Sean FitzPatrick has been told the hearing of evidence will not begin for another two weeks.

Legal argument in the absence of the jury is expected to take at least that long.

The jury for the trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was selected last Wednesday, however today three jurors had to be excused and were replaced.

Two men and one woman were replaced by two women and one man, making for a jury of nine women and six men.

Two jurors were excused because they asked, and one because of a connection with a person involved with the trial.

Mr FitzPatrick (68), of Whitshed Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges under the Companies Act 1990 relating to the misleading of the bank's auditors, Ernst & Young, in relation to multi-million euro loans he had from the bank between 2002 and 2008.

Mr FitzPatrick has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A panel of fifteen jurors has been selected for the trial, which could last for twelve weeks. A decision at the end of the trial will be made by just twelve members.

Judge John Aylmer again reminded the jurors that it was essential that they approached their role with impartiality and that they felt they could do so. He asked that they return to the court again tomorrow afternoon.

Mr FitzPatrick is being represented by Bernard Condon SC, Shelley Horan BL, Edward Doocey BL, and Claire Cummins BL, instructed by Michael Staines solicitors.

Dominic McGinn SC, with John Byrne BL and Diana Stuart BL, are for the prosecution, instructed by the DPP.