tv3 lines up cast and new studio to shoot movie on bank guarantee

Love/Hate star Peter Coonan will play the part of former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm, while former chairman Sean FitzPatrick will be played by Morgan Jones.

release

Although it's still in pre-production, The Guarantee has been ear-marked for a release date of November 2014.

Previous attempts to portray a character depicting the bailed-out bank's former chairman Mr FitzPatrick were met with legal issues.

He had to be written out of Paul Howard's production Anglo: The Musical on legal advice from solicitors

Last April Mr FitzPatrick was acquitted on ten charges of providing unlawful financial assistance to ten individuals in July 2008.

But he faces different charges which are due to be heard before the court in February 2015.

Mr FitzPatrick faces 12 counts of failing to disclose to auditors the true value of loans worth at least €139m given by Irish Nationwide Building Society while he was an officer of the bank

TV3's new film, which will also be released in Irish cinemas, will chart the origins of the decision by the then-Government to bail out the banks in September 2008.

studio

Former barrister John Kelleher's production company is behind the film, which will start shoting at TV3's new HG studios on July 21.

David Murray will co-star as Brian Lenihan while the roles of Kate Walsh and Brian Cowen will be played by Orla Fitzgerald and Gary Lydon respectively.

Asked about the possibility of any legal issues arising from the film, a spokesperson for TV3 said: "No comment."

hnews@herald.ie