Francis O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Francis "Francie" O'Brien (born 7 April 1943) is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He was a Senator from 1989 to 2011, elected by the Agricultural Panel.
O'Brien is a native of Latton, near Ballybay
, in County Monaghan
. He was a member of Monaghan County Council
from 1979 until 2003. He was Chairman of Monaghan County Council from 1986–1987.
On 25 April 2010, the Mail on Sunday ran a lead story saying that O'Brien had borrowed €10 million from Irish Nationwide Building Society, under the headline "FF Senator got €10m loans from Fingleton". The article claimed that the loans were fast-tracked by Michael Fingleton
"without demonstrable security or documentation".
On 14 June 2010, the Irish Independent
reported that in 2006, O'Brien spent millions of euro on agricultural land outside the village of Inniskeen
, County Monaghan
in the hope that it would be rezoned for housing. However, the Inniskeen Action Committee opposed the development and, despite several Fianna Fáil councillors voting for the rezoning, the motion was defeated by Fine Gael
and Sinn Féin
councillors. The land is now worth a fraction of the purchase price.
He did not contest the 2011 Seanad election.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He was a Senator from 1989 to 2011, elected by the Agricultural Panel.
O'Brien is a native of Latton, near Ballybay
Ballybay
Ballybay, County Monaghan is a town in County Monaghan in Ireland, centered on the crossroads of the R183 and R162 regional roads. The name in English means "The Mouth of the Ford of the Birches".- Town layout :...
, in County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He was a member of Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Monaghan in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Monaghan Council Offices...
from 1979 until 2003. He was Chairman of Monaghan County Council from 1986–1987.
On 25 April 2010, the Mail on Sunday ran a lead story saying that O'Brien had borrowed €10 million from Irish Nationwide Building Society, under the headline "FF Senator got €10m loans from Fingleton". The article claimed that the loans were fast-tracked by Michael Fingleton
Michael Fingleton
Michael "Fingers" Fingleton is a former chief executive of Irish Nationwide Building Society. He joined the building society in 1971 and retired in April 2009 as the effects of the banking crisis became apparent. He is known as “Fingers” in the banking community.-Early life and career:Michael...
"without demonstrable security or documentation".
On 14 June 2010, the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
reported that in 2006, O'Brien spent millions of euro on agricultural land outside the village of Inniskeen
Inniskeen
Inniskeen, officially Inishkeen , is a small village and parish in County Monaghan, Ireland, close to the County Louth and County Armagh borders. It is located about 17 km from Dundalk and 12 km from Carrickmacross and 5 km from Crossmaglen...
, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
in the hope that it would be rezoned for housing. However, the Inniskeen Action Committee opposed the development and, despite several Fianna Fáil councillors voting for the rezoning, the motion was defeated by Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
and Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
councillors. The land is now worth a fraction of the purchase price.
He did not contest the 2011 Seanad election.