The High Court has adjourned until early next year an attempt by Anglo Irish Bank to recover over €60m from three Limerick solicitors.
Anglo Irish is alleging that the three men gave personal guarantees for development loans.
The three solicitors claim they believed the guarantees would never be enforced.
Anglo Irish Bank was seeking summary judgments orders for over €21m each from solicitors Dermot O'Donovan, Michael Sherry, and Aidan Frawley. The three are partners in the Limerick firm of Dermot G O'Donovan.
Anglo Irish alleges they had provided personal guarantees for loans of over €165m to Fordmount Property Group, which they were involved in, to buy land and buildings in Limerick city and county.
The three solicitors argue they never believed the personal guarantees would be enforced. They say developer Michael Daly, who was their co-guarantor, told them he had assurances from Anglo to that effect.
Anglo Irish Bank argues that as experienced solicitors, familiar with personal guarantees, their defence is incredible.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly refused summary judgment and adjourned the case for a full hearing.
He said if he did not, there was a risk of perceived injustice because another judge had decided to allow a full hearing in another case involving Michael Daly, whom Anglo Irish Bank is pursuing for €80m over the same set of loans.
