Senator Martin Conway has 'no real way back' into Fine Gael after arrest

Fine Gael sources say it is unlikely Mr Conway would return to the parliamentary party after the revelation of his arrest for being intoxicated

Martin Conway disclosed: 'In the early hours of Tuesday, January 22, I was arrested by An Garda Síochána on O’Connell St, Dublin 1, for being in an intoxicated state due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol.' Picture: Stephen Collins

Senator Martin Conway has “no real way back” to the Fine Gael parliamentary party, sources have claimed, after he resigned after it emerged that he was arrested for being intoxicated last month.

Mr Conway confirmed he was arrested in a statement yesterday, days after he was re-elected to the Seanad.

The incident happened hours before the Dáil reconvened following coalition talks. Mr Conway said: “In the early hours of Tuesday, January 22, I was arrested by An Garda Síochána on O’Connell St, Dublin 1, for being in an intoxicated state due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol.

“I was detained... and subsequently released without charge a number of hours later.”

Mr Conway said his arrest was not disclosed to Fine Gael, adding: 

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.”

Fine Gael confirmed that a disciplinary process has been initiated into Mr Conway’s conduct, while a spokesperson noted his apology.

'Upholding standards'

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, a Fine Gael member, told RTÉ’s The Week in Politics: “We are held to a very high standard as Fine Gael public representatives, we signed a party pledge that commits to upholding those standards and to informing the party if incidents happen.”

“The party wasn’t informed in this instance, but I do understand that Fine Gael will now undertake a disciplinary process regarding this case.”

Party sources indicated there was some sympathy within the party for Mr Conway over the arrest.

However, a senior party figure said there was a need to have standards within the party that “we expect TDs and senators to reach”.

Another source said it was unlikely he would return to the parliamentary party. They said: 

He’s finished now, there’s no real way for him back. 

Mr Conway was first elected to the Seanad in 2011, and was the first visually impaired senator elected to the upper house of the Oireachtas, having been born with congenital cataracts.

Fine Gael has faced scrutiny in recent days, after reports emerged of a Fine Gael politician allegedly acting inappropriately with a party staffer several years ago.

It is believed the politician made a formal apology to the staffer, as well as a donation to charity.