A Circuit Court judge has agreed to step down as the presiding judge of Seán FitzPatrick’s pending trial.

The former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank is accused of making a misleading, false or deceptive statement to auditors Ernst & Young.

He is also charged with furnishing false information in relation to the disclosure of loans allegedly given to him or people connected to him from 2002 to 2007.

Following an application by the defence, Judge Patrick McCartan initially refused to recuse himself but has since agreed to do so.

He previously presided over the criminal trial of three other former Anglo officials.

Mr Fitzpatrick’s trial is due to begin at the end of next month.