Both FitzPatrick and the bank said in statements on his resignation that his handling of the loans was neither illegal nor a breach of Irish banking regulations. But an apologetic new chairman O'Connor told shareholders that FitzPatrick's loans were "wrong and unacceptable". The following day, headlines in the Irish papers illuminated the popular mood: "Seán FitzPatrick Should Go To Jail" competed with "If FitzPatrick Lived in New York, He'd Have Been Arrested By Now". When he resigned from Anglo Irish Bank, Fitzpatrick also resigned his non-executive directorships at Greencore, Aer Lingus, Experian, Smurfit Kappa, and Gartmore Irish Growth Fund. On 16 March 2010 Gardaí were given a warrant to search Seán Fitzpatrick's house. FitzPatrick was arrested at around 06:30 on 18 March 2010 at his house in Greystones, County Wicklow. He was arrested by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. He was questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. Under this he was able to be held for up to six hours without charge, but this was later extended. The Gardaí were also assisting another investigation by the Director of Corporate Enforcement for breach of company law. The Gardaí confirmed in a statement that "There is an extensive Garda investigation under way, eager to see justice take its course" In most western countries it is illegal to run a business and seek investment while insolvent. It was not confirmed by the Gardaí at first if FitzPatrick was the person in their custody, but by an independent source and RTÉ. Following the arrest, without naming FitzPatrick, the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan commented on the situation. After more than 24 hours of questioning, he was released without charge on 19 March 2010. A file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. On Friday 9 December 2011, Fitzpatrick was arrested a second time by Gardaí, allegedly as part of an investigation into "Financial Irregularities at a Financial Institution". On 24 July 2012, Fitzpatrick was arrested a third time by Gardaí, allegedly as part of an investigation into "Financial Irregularities at a Financial Institution"  He was charged with 16 offences by Gardaí attached to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement relating to his role in advising on and lending millions to a golden circle of investors to falsely inflate Anglo's share price. After the ODCE's investigation methods were found to be flawed, on 23 May 2017 the judge in Fitzpatrick's trial directed that he be acquitted of all charges.