24 million documents may have to be examined for the trials of former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick and 2 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.

Sean Fitzpatrick 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.

Today dressed in suits the 3 men sat in the body of the court for a progress report on the case.

'Process could take months'

Mr Whelan's barrister Brendan Grehan, SC, said 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.

Prosecution counsel Úna Ní Raifeartaigh said the lengthy and somewhat complex disclosure process could take months and she asked for a judge to be assigned to manage the case, pre-trial.

The case will come back before the court for an update on March 6th.

Judge Mary-Ellen Ring has set January 13th next as a provisional trial date and told the parties if disclosure is not complete by then there is something the matter with the system.