Nama jury sworn

Pair accused of fraud linked to toxic bank Judge says trial due to last up to 12 weeks

- BY ASHLEIGH MCDONALD

A JURY was sworn in yesterday to preside in the Nama trial.

Two businessmen have been charged with offences related to the sale of a loan book held by Ireland's National Asset Management Agency.

That was set up by the Irish government to deal with toxic property loans after the Republic's banking crisis in 2008.

Ian George Coulter, 54, from Templepatrick Road in Ballyclare, Co Antrim, and 81-year-old Frank Cushnahan, of Alexandra Gate in Holywood, Co Down, appeared at in the dock as a jury was sworn in.

At Belfast Crown Court Madam Justice McBride told the panel of nine men and three women that the trial is expected to last up to 12 weeks.