FF: Anglo 'set a trap for Irish taxpayer'
Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath said today that Anglo Irish Bank set a trap to lure the Government, the Central Bank and the Irish people.
It is in response to taped conversations involved two former bank executives in which they discuss knowing that far more capital was needed by the bank than the sum of €7bn requested from the Government and Central Bank.
Peter Fitzgerald and John Bowe deny misleading the authorities.
"I want to see an Oireachtas Inquiry, but it needs to be comprehensive," said Deputy McGrath.
"It needs to deal with what was going on in the bank and not just one political decision, because what we have evidence of today is that there was a clear strategy to mislead the Irish State, to lure in the taxpayers and essentially a trap was set and you know, that, unfortunately, is what happened."
Three of Anglo's most senior figures are facing trial in relation to fraud at the bank - Sean FitzPatrick, the former chairman; Willie McAteer, the former finance director; and Pat Whelan, the former managing director of lending.
Together they are charged over attempts to manipulate the bank’s share price.
Mr FitzPatrick is also facing charges in relation to information given to auditors over directors’ loans.
Assistant Garda commissioner Derek Byrne refused to be drawn on whether any other senior figures at the bank are to be prosecuted.
“Really there isn’t an awful lot more gardai can say at this stage as we are waiting for the outcome of any directions of the director of public prosecutions,” he said.
Mr Byrne said “lots of files” have been compiled in the investigation.
