Former FF senator charged with demanding €100,000 with menaces

Francis O’Brien remanded on €5,000 bail until next hearing on May 22nd

Former FF senator Francis O’Brien, who was one of three men charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from Michael Heelan. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Former FF senator Francis O’Brien, who was one of three men charged with making an unwarranted demand for money from Michael Heelan. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

A retired Fianna Fail senator appeared along with two other men at a sitting of the District Court in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, today on a charge of demanding money by menaces.

Francis O'Brien, (70) a father-of –four, from Corwillan, Latton, Castleblayney, faced charges along with Co Cavan farmer, Michael Marron (56) of Taghart North, Shercock, and Raymond McCaughey (57) a businessman of Drumganus, Broomfield, Co Monaghan, of attempting to make gain for themselves or others, by making an unwarranted demand for €100,000 from Michael Heelan, with menaces, at Tullyvaragh Lower, Carrickmacross, on April 27th last year.

All three were charged before Judge Sean MacBride and remanded on bail of €5,000, directed to surrender their passport to gardai, not apply for any travel documents, sign-on once weekly at Carrickmacross Garda station.

The judge adjourned all applications for legal aid for the trio until the next hearing on May 22nd.

READ MORE

Mr O’Brien was a member of Seanad Éireann between 1989 to 2011.