North Wexford Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne Arrested on Suspicion of Drink Driving

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has confirmed that he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after failing a roadside breath test last week.

The North-Wexford South-Wicklow TD was travelling to Dublin Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning when he was stopped at a Garda checkpoint close to his hotel in Dublin city centre.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been made aware of the incident, and Deputy Byrne is fully co-operating with the Garda investigation.

The Gorey native was driving at approximately 5am when he failed a breathalyser test at the checkpoint and was subsequently arrested. He later chose to provide a urine sample at Pearse Street Garda Station. The results of that test have not yet been returned. Pending the outcome, the TD is limited in what he can publicly say about the matter.

In a statement to South East Radio News this morning (Monday) Mr Byrne said:

“Early on Thursday morning, while travelling from my hotel in Dublin to Dublin Airport, I was stopped at a mandatory Garda checkpoint in Dublin city centre, close to my hotel, and I was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

“I am co-operating fully with An Garda Síochána. As the matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. I informed the party of this matter immediately."

Byrne, who serves as chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, had attended the Dáil the previous day, with proceedings concluding shortly before 9pm. Following his release by Gardaí, he travelled by taxi to Dublin Airport before attending a conference where he was due to speak.

A prominent Fianna Fáil backbencher, Mr Byrne has been a member of the Oireachtas for the last seven years. The 52-year-old has served in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, having most recently won his Dáil seat in the 2024 General Election.