A former Fianna Fail senator has appeared in court in Co Monaghan charged with demanding money with menaces.

70-year-old Francis O'Brien was arrested at his home in Castleblayney this morning before appearing before Carrickmacross District Court.

The father of 4 was charged with making an unwanted demand with menaces for  €100,000 from a Mr. Michael Heelan at Tullyvaragh Lower in Carrickamacross on April 27th last year.

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

He was remanded on bail and ordered to surrender his passport and sign on weekly at Castleblayney Garda Station.

He will appear before the court again on May 22nd.

Two other men from Co. Monaghan also appeared in court facing the same charge.