Former FF Senator guilty of extortion

A former Fianna Fail Senator has pleaded guilty at Monaghan Circuit Court to a charge of extortion.

A former Fianna Fáil Senator has pleaded guilty at Monaghan Circuit Court to a charge of extortion.

Father-of-four Francie O'Brien was charged with making an unwanted demand with menaces for €100,000 from Mr Michael Heelan at Tullyvaragh Lower in Carrickmacross on April 27 last year.

The 70-year-old, with an address at Corwillan, Latton, Castleblayney, was remanded on bail to appear before Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Criminal Court on November 12.

Mr O’Brien was a member of the Seanad from 1989 to 2011.