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.
[4] In January 2012, a Cavan based veterinary inspector named Michael Heelan approached O'Brien for advice after he was accused by Louth County Council of illegal dumping.
Heelan had previously been reprimanded by the Department of Agriculture of improper disposal of used veterinary items (needles, surplus blood, empty bottles, etc ...) and was worried the latest allegations would effect his employment.
On 27 April 2012, Heelan was fitted with a covert recording device, which was being monitored by Gardai, and met O'Brien to discuss the handover of the supposed used veterinary items.
[7][8][9] In a separate trial, on 9 October 2015 the man O'Brien allegedly called from his car to get the location of the illegally dumped items was acquitted by the direction of the judge of charges of blackmail, extortion and demanding money with menaces.