Fitzpatrick acquitted on several Anglo related charges

He still faces counts of providing unlawful financial assistance to the so called Maple Ten for the purpose of buying Anglo shares in July 2008, which he denies.

Judge Martin Nolan has directed that Sean Fitzpatrick be acquitted on 6 charges of providing unlawful financial assistance to members of businessman Sean Quinn's family.

The former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman remains on trial with two of the bank's former executives Willie McAteer and Pat Whelan.

He is still accused of allowing illegal loans to be issued to ten high net Anglo customers in July 2008 for the purpose of buying shares in the bank.

The jury's heard the purpose of the transaction was to dilute the 29% shareholding Sean Quinn had secretly built up in Anglo over concerns it was destabilising the bank.

The judge has also directed not guilty verdicts against Pat Whelan, who headed up the lending division in Anglo, on 7 charges of being privy to the fraudulent alteration of loan facility letters.

The rulings came after 3 days of legal argument. The case resumes at 2pm