The prosecution has begun to open its case against Sean FitzPatrick and two of his former colleagues at Anglo Irish Bank.
The trial was delayed this morning when a new juror had to be sworn after one of the 15 selected last Friday was excused for reasons not disclosed in open court.
Dressed in dark suits Sean FitzPatrick, Willie McAteer and Pat Whelan are sitting side by side in the dock in court 19 which is packed to the rafters.
Four benches have been set aside for journalists alone which gives some indication of the level of interest in this trial.
The 3 former bankers deny 16 charges of providing unlawful financial assistance to individuals to buy shares in the bank in July 2008.
Pat Whelan former head of Anglo’s Irish operations also denies a further 7 charges of being privy to fraudulent alterations of loan facility letters
There were delays this morning when a new juror had to be sworn in but prosecution barrister Paul O’Higgins has now begun to outline its case.
The opening is expected to last the rest of the day.
