Weeks into Nama trial, Frank Cushnahan and his lawyers took a big gamble which can only now be explained

"Senior business figure had the opportunity to see the fraud trial collapse entirely, but argued strongly to the judge that he wanted the case to carry on - even though some potentially prejudicial evidence had already been heard"

"More than two months into the massive Nama corruption trial, Frank Cushnahan and his lawyers took a key decision which was essentially a gamble, the details of which can only now be reported."

"Cushnahan's co-accused, former top solicitor and businessman Ian Coulter, wanted to drop out of the trial because his senior counsel, Greg Berry KC, had taken ill on 6 November and was thought unlikely to be well enough to return."

More than two months into the massive Nama corruption trial, Frank Cushnahan and his lawyers made a pivotal, risky decision. Cushnahan had the opportunity to see the fraud trial collapse entirely but argued strongly to the judge that he wanted proceedings to continue. Some potentially prejudicial evidence had already been heard before that choice. Cushnahan's co-accused, former top solicitor and businessman Ian Coulter, wanted to drop out after senior counsel Greg Berry KC fell ill on 6 November and was thought unlikely to be well enough to return. Cushnahan’s stance kept the trial running despite clear risks.

Read at Independent