AIB and a senior executive who claims he is being scapegoated for the bank's foreign exchange scandal are seeking an early hearing date an injunction he is seeking preventing his dismissal.

When the case by Séamus Sheerin against AIB was mentioned yesterday before Mr Justice Murphy, the judge was told that both sides were anxious for a speedy hearing of Mr Sheerin's application for an interlocutory injunction restraining his dismissal pending the outcome of his full action against the bank.

Roddy Horan SC, for Mr Sheerin, said the parties were agreeable to the case being adjourned for mention on Thursday when an application for a hearing date will be made.

Mr Horan also told the judge the "status quo" would be maintained, an indication that there would be no change in the position of Mr Sheerin pending the matter being returned to court. AIB had given that indication at a hearing on March 14th and the court decided then that there was no need to continue an interim order granted on March 11th to Mr Sheerin restraining his dismissal.

The judge adjourned the matter to Thursday. On the application of David Barniville, for AIB, he also agreed that the parties might approach the President of the High Court to seek an expedited hearing.

When the case was last before the court, lawyers for AIB said senior bank executives strongly rejected allegations by Mr Sheerin that he is being scapegoated for the failures of others in connection with the foreign exchange overcharging scandal.

The court was told that Mr Aidan McKeon, a director of AIB and now managing director of AIB Group UK, entirely rejected claims by Mr Sheerin, former general manager of AIB's strategic development unit, that Mr McKeon had instigated the overcharging measures.

The court had earlier heard that Mr McKeon conducted a disciplinary hearing into allegations against Mr McKeon, which concluded with a recommendation that Mr Sheerin be dismissed.

The proceedings arose after Mr Sheerin (41), who has been suspended since May 2004, secured, on an ex parte basis, on March 10th, an interim order restraining his dismissal as general manager of the strategic development unit.

Mr Sheerin claimed he was being "scapegoated" for overcharging by the Bank of its customers, a charge denied by the bank