Francis O'Brien (Irish politician) facts for kids

Francis O'Brien (born 7 April 1943) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician. He was a senator from 1989 to 2011, elected by the Agricultural Panel.

Political career

O'Brien is a native of Latton, near Ballybay, in County Monaghan. He was a member of Monaghan County Council from 1979 until 2003, serving as Council chairman in 1986 to 1987. O'Brien was elected to the Seanad in 1989, but did not contest the 2011 Seanad election.

Business career

In 2006, according to an article by the Irish Independent, O'Brien obtained loans amounting to millions of euros in order to buy 17 acres (6.9 ha) of 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 (12 votes to seven) by Fine Gael and Sinn Féin councillors. By 2010, the land was worth a fraction of the purchase price. During a subsequent hearing at the commercial court in 2010, it was revealed that O'Brien owed around €13 million to various creditors, but only had assets amounting to €430,000. It was also revealed that Irish Nationwide had loaned O'Brien €4.47 million in 2006 to purchase the land in Inniskeen.