The Daily Star Ireland
Senator Martin Conway has stepped down from the Fine Gael parliamentary party as disciplinary proceedings begin following his recent arrest.
The Clare-based senator confirmed that he was arrested on January 22 on O’Connell Street in Dublin for being intoxicated due to the consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol. In a statement, he admitted to being detained at Store Street Garda Station before being released without charge a few hours later.
He acknowledged that he had failed to inform the party about the incident and issued an unreserved apology to his family, colleagues, supporters, and his nominating body, Vision Ireland. Conway expressed regret over the situation, stating that he had let himself down and also extended an apology to An Garda Síochána for their involvement in the matter.
As a consequence, he announced his resignation from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, recognizing that a disciplinary process would now take place.
In response, Fine Gael released a statement acknowledging both his resignation and apology, confirming that the case is now subject to the party’s internal disciplinary process.
Conway, who was recently elected as a senator to the Administrative Panel, has been serving in the Seanad for 14 years. In 2011, he made history as the first visually impaired member of the Oireachtas when he was elected to Seanad Éireann.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon welcomed Conway’s swift response, describing his statement and resignation as the right course of action. Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, Heydon expressed disappointment over the situation but reiterated that Fine Gael politicians are expected to uphold high standards as public representatives.
He emphasized that all party members sign a pledge committing to these standards and are required to inform the party of any incidents like this. Since Conway failed to disclose the matter, a disciplinary review is now in progress.
