24-million documents may have to be examined for the trials of former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick and two former Anglo directors.
A provisional date of January 13th next year has been set for the case which Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard is likely to last at least 3 months.
Former Anglo Chairman Sean Fitzp
atrick is accused of providing unlawful financial assistance to 16 individuals to buy shares in Anglo Irish Bank
His 2 co-accused former Anglo Finance Director Willie McAteer and Pat Whelan, Anglo’s former Managing Director for Ireland face the same charges.
Dressed in suits the 3 men sat in the body of the court for a progress report on the case.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring heard from the defence that the trial would run for at least 3 months and that it may be more complex than any previous case and involve the consideration of 24 million documents.
The prosecution wants a judge assigned to manage the case which will involve a lengthy and complex disclosure process.
The judge set January 13th next as a provisional trial date and told the parties if it’s not ready to proceed by then there’s something the matter with the system.
