Senator Martin Conway has resigned from his position within the Fine Gael party after admitting to being arrested for public intoxication. The incident occurred on Dublin’s O’Connell Street on January 22, when the senator was apprehended by Gardaí after consuming a combination of sleeping tablets and alcohol.
In his statement, Conway expressed regret over his actions, acknowledging that he had let both himself and others down. As a result, he resigned from Fine Gael’s parliamentary party, noting that a disciplinary process would now take place. Conway, who hails from County Clare, had recently been re-elected to Ireland’s Senate, the Seanad, and was nominated by Vision Ireland, an organization for people with sight loss.
Conway further explained that he was detained at Store Street Garda station before being released several hours later without charge. He revealed that the incident had not been disclosed to his party at the time. In his statement, Conway also issued a heartfelt apology to his family, colleagues, supporters, and Vision Ireland for his behavior.
“I let myself down,” he said, adding an apology to the Gardaí for their involvement. Conway emphasized that his resignation from the Fine Gael parliamentary party was an important step in taking responsibility for his actions.
Fine Gael responded by acknowledging Conway’s statement, confirming that the matter would undergo a formal disciplinary process within the party. Irish Prime Minister and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin expressed his awareness of the incident but clarified that he was unaware of the specific circumstances surrounding the arrest at the time.
This marks a significant moment in the political career of Conway, who has faced scrutiny following the event.
