Finbarr Ross appeared relaxed during the closing stages of his trial at Belfast Crown Court at which he faced fraud and false-accounting charges related to the collapse of his investment firm. International Investments Ltd owed more than £7 million to depositors when it closed in 1984.

But the arrival of a group of students on a visit to court did bring a lighter moment.

"Gentlemen we have a problem," said one wag. "A bus of European students has just come in and Ross is refusing to come out because he thinks it's a depositors' meeting!" Mr Ross, of course, did appear at the hearing. And yes, he exuded his customary laid-back air.