Former head of Anglo Irish Bank David Drumm will not fight his extradition from the United States to face criminal charges related to the bank's collapse and has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions not to oppose bail upon his return.
Mr Drumm has been in custody since he was arrested at his Massachusetts home on 10 October after Irish officials asked that he be extradited to face a 33-count criminal indictment related to the collapse of the failed bank.
Anglo Irish Bank was nationalised in early 2009 in a takeover that cost Ireland around €30bn.
In an interview with the Sunday Business Post he said: "I have instructed my US attorneys last week to explore all opportunities with the US and Irish authorities to expedite a return to Ireland," adding that he hoped to apply to a Boston court tomorrow to achieve this.
"I have given clear instructions that all rights to challenge the extradition in the US should be waived and no other options available to me should be pursued in order to facilitate an immediate return to Ireland."
Mr Drumm faces charges here related to fraudulent loans the bank made in 2008 intended to help prop up its share prices, which was falling sharply during the global crisis, according to papers unsealed in Boston in October.
The charges include forgery, conspiracy and false accounting. Mr Drumm, who moved to Boston after the bank was nationalised seven years ago, has denied any wrongdoing.
He is due to face the extradition charges on 1 March. He unsuccessfully pleaded for his release on bail last year, saying he was not a flight risk.
Mr Drumm told the newspaper he was asking the DPP not to oppose bail if he returned so he could work and participate fully in his defence.
"I understand that the DPP will not agree to our request, and will oppose bail. Although this is a disappointment and very perplexing, it does not diminish my desire to return to Ireland," Mr Drumm said.
