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19 Sept 2025

Who is Martin Conway? - Fine Gael senator who resigned following an arrest due to intoxication

Martin first joined Fine Gael whilst at school in Ennistymon

Who is Martin Conway? - Fine Gael senator who resigned following an arrest due to intoxication

I PICTURE: www.oireachtas.ie

Clare Senator Martin Conway has resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party following an arrest due to intoxication.

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. I have resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party. I understand that a disciplinary process will now commence.”

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Martin Conway was first elected to Clare County Council in June 2004 representing North Clare and was re-elected in 2009, topping the poll.

He previously served in the 24th Seanad on the Administrative Panel, having been elected in 2011 and his resignation comes a week after being re-elected to the 26th Seanad. 

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.

He received the prestigious University College Dublin President’s Award for Excellence, in recognition of his commitment for campaigning and advocacy for people with disabilities.

Martin campaigns tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities for the provision of adequate housing, improved education and employment opportunities, and proper sport facilities.

Martin is a founding member of AHEAD-The Association of Higher Education Access and Disability- which endeavours to make education accessible to all. He is particularly proud of the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme which has successfully placed over 150 graduates with disabilities in employment over the last seven years.

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