Gardaí are continuing to question former Anglo Irish Bank chairman and chief executive Seán FitzPatrick as part of their ongoing inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at the institution.

Mr FitzPatrick (63) was arrested by appointment this morning and is being held at Bray Garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was previously arrested in 2010.

The inquiry is being carried out by gardaí from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

Former finance director of Anglo Irish Bank Willie McAteer was also arrested for a second time last month for questioning about alleged financial irregularities at the bank. He was later released without charge.

Three files on the investigations into Anglo, now almost three years old, have been sent to the DPP.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the Garda station where Mr FitzPatrick is being detained.