Fraud search at Anglo Irish Bank

Anglo Irish Bank was nationalised in January

Fraud investigators and police are searching the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank in Dublin.

The Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement, a company watchdog, was leading the search after a judge issued a warrant on Monday, Irish police said.

Garda and fraud investigation bureau staff are also present.

They said they were searching for books and documents which could provide evidence relating to suspected offences under the Companies Act.

The Irish government nationalised Anglo Irish Bank in January amid fears it would collapse.

Its share price had plummeted amid a wave of controversies.

In December the bank's chairman, Sean Fitzpatrick, resigned after admitting that he had transferred millions of euros out of the Dublin-based bank's accounts.

Chief executive David Drumm announced his resignation shortly afterwards.