'Large jury panel' required for six-month Anglo trial, judge warns

A Dublin judge has warned that a "large number" of potential jurors will be needed for the trial of three former Anglo Irish Bank directors.

Sean Fitzpatrick of Whitshed Road in Greystones, 62 year-old former finance director Willie McAteer and 50 year-old former managing director Pat Whelan are charged in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the bank.

The case was listed for mention at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, where Judge Mary Ellen Ring advised that because of the "considerable length" of the trial, a large jury panel would be needed to choose from.

The case is expected to begin in January 2014, and could take up to six months.