I PICTURE: www.oireachtas.ie
Clare Senator Martin Conway has resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party following his recent behaviour.
In a statement he said: “In the early hours of Tuesday, January 22, I was arrested by An Garda Síochána on O’Connell Street, Dublin 1, for being in an intoxicated state due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol.
"I was detained at Store Street Garda station and subsequently released without charge a number of hours later.
"This was not disclosed to the party.
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“I would like to apologise unreservedly for this to my family, colleagues, supporters and my nominating body, Vision Ireland. I let myself down. I would also like to apologise to the members of An Garda Síochána 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.”
Martin Conway's resignation is a week after he was re-elected to the Seanad.
He was first elected to Clare County Council in June 2004 representing North Clare and was re-elected in 2009, topping the poll.
Martin is the third generation of his family to be born with congenital cataracts. When he was just six months old he was taken to London for a series of ground-breaking eye operations, which left him with 16% vision. Rather than going to a school especially for the blind and visually impaired, Martin attended local schools with his brother.
Martin first joined Fine Gael whilst at school in Ennistymon and his interest in politics continued throughout his college career. In 1998 he graduated with a Degree in Economics and Politics from University College Dublin.
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