Three former senior bank executives have appeared in court charged in connection with a €7.2bn fraud.

Former CEO of Irish Life and Permanent Denis Casey, the bank's former finance director Peter Fitzpatrick and the former head of treasury at Anglo Irish Bank, John Bowe, have all been granted bail to appear again next March.

The court was told the men were arrested in Dublin this morning by a detective inspector from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

All three replied "no" when charged at the Bridewell Garda Station, the court heard.

Mr Bowe faces two charges, while Mr Casey and Mr Fitzpatrick each face one charge.

Each of the accused was granted bail on their own bond of €1,000 and an independent surety of €10,000.

They each have to sign on once a week at a local garda station and notify gardaí if they intend to travel abroad.

Judge Patricia McNamara was told the case has no factual connection with the forthcoming trial of three other former Anglo executives and warned the media not to report anything prejudicial.