Michael Fingleton, former head of Irish Nationwide, has died aged 88
Michael Fingleton, the former head of the Irish Nationwide Building Society, has passed away at the age of 88. His death follows a long period of ill health and a high-profile legal battle regarding his management of the society prior to its 2010 collapse.
Why it matters
Fingleton was a central figure in the Irish financial crisis, and his death marks the end of a significant chapter in the country's banking history.
FORMER HEAD OF the Irish Nationwide Building Society Michael Fingleton has died at the age of 88.
Fingleton was at the helm of the building society for nearly four decades, from 1971 up until 2009.
He suffered a stroke in the late 2010s and endured ill health in the following years since.
Born in 1938 in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, Fingleton studied at University College Dublin (UCD) and King’s Inns and trained as an accountant.
Before joining Irish Nationwide, he spent time at Allied Irish Finance, the Dairy Disposal Agency and Concern.
A lengthy civil trial that concluded last year examined accusations that Fingleton negligently mismanaged Irish Nationwide before it collapsed after failed financial and property “gambles”.
Fingleton denied the allegation but was unable to give evidence in the case himself due to his ill health.
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