Senator Martin Conway has resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party after he was arrested late last month, which he says he did not disclose to the party.
Notably, Conway was just re-elected to the Seanad last week.
“In the early hours of Tuesday, January 22nd, 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,” Conway said in a statement, which was issued through the Fine Gael press office.
“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.”
He said that he would like to “apologise unreservedly” for this.
“I would like to apologise unreservedly for this to my family, colleagues, supporters and my nominating body, Vision Ireland,” he said.
“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.”
Fine Gael acknowledged Conway’s statement and his resignation of the party whip, adding: “The matter is now subject to a party disciplinary process.”