Ireland’s first visually impaired politician resigns after drunk arrest
Fifty-year-old Martin Conway has admitted he did not inform his party of the
arrest.
Ireland correspondent @SMurphyTV [http://twitter.com/@SMurphyTV]
Sunday 9 February 2025 13:23, UK
The first visually impaired politician to serve in Ireland’s parliament has
resigned from his party after being arrested while drunk on a Dublin street.
Just days after being re-elected to the Seanad (Senate), Martin Conway admitted
that he was arrested in the early hours of 22 January “for being in an
intoxicated state due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol”.
He said: “I was detained at Store Street Garda Station and subsequently released
without charge a number of hours later.”
The 50-year-old member of the Seanad (the upper house) admitted that he did not
inform his party of the arrest.
Senator Conway was a member of Fine Gael, led by the current deputy prime
minister Simon Harris [https://news.sky.com/topic/simon-harris-11113].
In a statement, the senator said he “would like to apologise unreservedly for
this to my family, colleagues, supporters and my nominating body, Vision Ireland
[https://news.sky.com/topic/ireland-8700]”.
Read more from Sky News:
Harry and Meghan cheer during Invictus Games opening ceremony
[https://news.sky.com/story/prince-harry-and-meghan-cheer-as-team-uk-walks-onto-invictus-games-opening-ceremony-stage-13305797]
Friends star urges Elon Musk to remove Kanye West from X
[https://news.sky.com/story/friends-star-david-schwimmer-urges-elon-musk-to-remove-kanye-west-from-x-after-hate-filled-ignorant-comments-13305867]
Marks & Spencer recalls two chicken products after salmonella detected
First signs of relief from Storm Eowyn, but Ireland still counting the cost
Micheal Martin voted in as Ireland’s next premier after chaos sees parliament
suspended
He added: “I let myself down. I would also like to apologise to the members of
An Garda Síochána [Irish police] for having to deal with this matter.
“I have resigned from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party. I understand that a
disciplinary process will now commence.”
Fine Gael said it “notes” the senator’s “statement, apologies and his
resignation of the party whip”, and confirmed the matter is now subject to a
party disciplinary process.
Follow our channel and never miss an update
Senator Conway, from Co Clare, was born with congenital cataracts.
He has been a board member of the charity Vision Ireland since 2013. The
organisation has been approached for comment.
His arrest took place just hours before the Dail (lower house of the parliament)
met to confirm Micheal Martin [https://news.sky.com/topic/micheal-martin-9481]
as the new taoiseach, or prime minister.
Chaotic scenes in the chamber
[https://news.sky.com/story/ireland-delays-selection-of-prime-minister-as-parliament-erupts-in-row-13294434]
over speaking rights led to that process being postponed until the following
day.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
New senators were elected or nominated in an election in January. Just six days
ago, Senator Conway said he was “absolutely delighted” to be re-elected and
thanked his supporters.
The Seanad consists of 60 members, who are elected to five vocational panels,
from two university constituencies or nominated by the taoiseach.
New senators include former Sky News broadcaster Alison Comyn.
