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Ireland's first visually impaired politician resigns after drunk arrest

Ireland's first visually impaired politician resigns after drunk arrest

Sky News09-02-2025

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.
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".
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.
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 as the new taoiseach, or prime minister.
Chaotic scenes in the chamber over speaking rights led to that process being postponed until the following day.
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.

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Gavin Robinson rejects loyalism claim while residents urged to leave homes ahead of planned protest
Gavin Robinson rejects loyalism claim while residents urged to leave homes ahead of planned protest

Belfast Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

Gavin Robinson rejects loyalism claim while residents urged to leave homes ahead of planned protest

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Airbnb faces legal action over listings in illegal Israeli settlements
Airbnb faces legal action over listings in illegal Israeli settlements

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

Airbnb faces legal action over listings in illegal Israeli settlements

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Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire
Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire

Wales Online

time9 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire

Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire Homes have been evacuated and a leisure centre housing migrants has been set alight A third night of civil unrest has unfolded in Ballymena, NI (Image: Getty Images ) A third night of violence has ensued in a UK town in what has been described as "anti-immigration riots." Videos circulating online show a number of projectiles being launched at police in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, including petrol bombs and fireworks in another night of rioting which has seen violence, arrests and a number of people injured. The riots began on Monday after two teenage boys appeared in court accused of attempted rape. They had confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter and denied the charges against them. ‌ By Monday afternoon, a social media post advertising a planned protest at 7.30pm that evening had been widely circulated and despite it being planned as peaceful, violent attacks were launched on places known to house migrants. ‌ Since then there have been three nights of violence and vandalism with people reportedly afraid to leave their homes, multiple arrests and dozens of police officers injured. On Wednesday masked youths attacked Larne Leisure Centre by smashing windows and setting fires. They are believed to have targeted the building after social media posts had suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there. Article continues below It is understood that there was no one inside the Leisure Centre during the attack. Emergency services created blockades with vehicles and a water cannon was also used in an effort to disperse the crowds that gathered close to Clonavon Terrace. Police used water jets to disperse the crowds (Image: Getty Images ) DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted a message to Facebook on Wednesday: "A number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena. ‌ "It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. "Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful." The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the 'mindless attacks which has been described by senior police officers as "racist thuggery." Article continues below Some Ballymena residents have put British and Irish flags in their windows so that their homes are not targeted. Many locals have said they are too afraid to leave their homes.

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