Former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick is to apply for the State to pay his legal fees from his recent criminal trial.
Mr. FitzPatrick was acquitted last March of engaging in an illegal share support scheme. His fellow Anglo directors Pat Whelan and William McAteer were convicted on 10 counts of providing illegal loans to the group of investors, known as the 'Maple Ten', to prop up the Anglo share price.
Today counsel for Mr. FitzPatrick, Michael O'Higgins SC, asked Judge Martin Nolan to fix a date for a costs application on behalf of his client. Mr. FitzPatrick did not attend the short hearing.
Judge Nolan put the matter back to June 5th, the last day of the current legal term, when he will hear submissions from Mr. FitzPatrick and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether the State should pay the costs of the defence of the former chairman.
Mr. FitzPatrick is seeking to be reimbursed for legal fees arising out of his 48 week trial and the extensive pre-trial hearings and depositions.
His defence team comprised of a junior and senior counsel and a solicitor.
Also at the hearing, Mr. Whelan applied to have the terms of his bail conditions eased.
Mr Whelan and Mr McAteer are currently awaiting sentence for their roles in the share support scheme. Judge Nolan has already indicated they will receive community service instead of a jail term on condition they are deemed suitable by the Probation Service.
They were remanded on bail until July 31st when Judge Nolan will finalise sentence.
Mr. FitzPatrick (65) of Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Mr. McAteer (63) of Rathgar, Dublin and Mr. Whelan (52) of Malahide in Dublin denied all charges.
Counsel for Mr. Whelan, Lorcan Staines BL, asked Judge Nolan to remove the bail condition that his client has to sign on at his local garda station at regular intervals.
