INVESTIGATORS in a case against a Co Donegal banker have to examines an astonishing 24,000,000 million files – putting the trial back at least a year.
Rathmullan man Willie McAteer, a former executive with Anglo Irish Bank and pictured, is facing 16 charges along with Sean Fitzpatrick and Patrick Whelan.
They are all accused of permitting Anglo to illegally give financial assistance to Patricia Quinn, her five children and ten senior clients of the bank to enable them to buy shares in the bank.
The Circuit Criminal Court was told that 24 million documents may have to be considered before the trial can begin.
Prosecuting counsel Una Ni Raifeartaigh said disclosure in the case was complex and it was not simply about supplying the material to the defence, it was also a matter of culling and organising it.
She said the defence needed to be given an adequate opportunity to absorb the material.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring set a trial date of 13 January next year and said if it cannot be done by then it says something about the system.
The judge was also told the trial is expected to last at least three months.
The three were remanded on continuing bail to appear again on March 6.