FIANNA FÁIL’S MALCOLM Byrne has said “drink-driving is wrong, full stop” in his first radio interview after his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving last month.

Speaking on the Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran on South East Radio today, Byrne said “I’ll face up to whatever happens, I take one day at a time.”

In a statement last Thursday evening from Fianna Fáil, it was confirmed that Byrne was arrested early on 28 May while he was travelling from a hotel in Dublin to Dublin Airport.

It said he was stopped at a mandatory garda checkpoint in the city centre, close to the hotel, and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

He informed Fianna Fáil of his arrest on Thursday morning immediately after it happened, he said. Furthermore, he subsequently stepped down as chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on AI. 

While he said he is constrained in what he can say as a gardaí investigation is ongoing into his case, he outlined on the radio today that he wanted to be open, honest and upfront about what happened.

Speaking on the radio this morning, he said he left his hotel in Dublin and drove to the airport, where he was stopped by gardaí and a breathalyser test was carried out. 

“I was then taken to nearby Pearse Street Garda Station, where I was asked to provide a urine sample. There’s very little more that, obviously, I can say on that, because the investigation is ongoing,” he said.

“I have to wait and see how things develop in that regard. It hasn’t been easy for me, the last week. I would love to obviously say more, but you’ll appreciate that I can’t,” he added. 

Asked what his stance is on drink-driving, Byrne replied: 

“Look, drink-driving is wrong. Full stop. That’s the position, it’s an offence, and it is wrong, I can’t say any more, obviously, about my own case,” he said. 

The TD said he was believes he is “lucky” and “blessed” to have family and friends during what he described as a “difficult week”. 

“I have got to wait and see what happens as a result of this case, but in the meantime, you know, I have work that I have to do. I’m incredibly proud to be able to represent the people of North Wexford and South Wicklow, and I will face the consequences of whatever happens,” said Byrne.