A former Fianna Fail Senator and Chairman of Monaghan Co Council is beginning a prison sentence after his conviction by the Circuit Court on an extortion charge.
Francie O’Brien, of Latton, Castleblayney received a three-year custodial term, with the final year suspended, after entering a guilty plea on a charge that he demanded €100,000 with menaces from a Department of Agriculture vet, Michael Heelan at Tullyvaragh Lower, Carrickmacross on April 13, 2012.
Mr O’Brien, who held a Seanad seat from 1989 to 2011 and was a long-serving Mid-Monaghan …