I'm no ladies man says Troy

Fianna Fail's Transport spokesperson and Westmeath TD, Robert Troy, will be seen by his constituents in a whole new light after a no-holds barred interview with “Hot Press” magazine in which he admits to drink-driving in his youth, but denies being a “ladies' man.”

36-year Deputy Troy, who lives in Mullingar, deals with a very wide range of controversial topics in the revealing interview, including the legalisation of marijuana; his battles with mental health and suicidal thoughts; visiting strip clubs; sex; having a gay brother; his faith and and his views on Sinn Fein in government.

The full revealing interview, which was conducted by Hot Press senior editor, Jason O'Toole, is published in the Christmas Special Issue of Hot Press magazine which is on sale today (Friday, December 14).

On the issue of legalising marijuana, the Westmeath Fianna Fail TD says: “Look, there's merit in it. It would appear that there's a lot of people f.....g smoking it anyway. I don't know, sometimes you might be better off legalising something and at least getting tax off it, than not.”

On the issue of drinking and driving, Robert Troy admitted to thinking it was “a kind of manly thing to be able to manage the car and bring it home after four or five pints” when he was an “immature person.” However, he described his actions as “stupid” and admitted to being “embarrassed” to admit it now, given his portfolio as Transport Spokesperson.

The 36-year old also admitted to battling with his mental health and said suicidal thoughts had crossed his mind but he had “never taken any action on it” as deep down he “didn't really want to do it.” He also emphasises the importance of people who are having suicidal thoughts or are battling with mental health issues of “reaching out and speaking.....to someone who will listen.”

When asked about his reputation as a so-called “ladies' man” Deputy Troy says sometimes someone's reputation can “supercede them” and he acknowledges that if he was with all the women he was alleged to have been with “I would have had a very exciting number of years.” He adds that he has been in a relationship for “about two years” and has been in relationships for most of his adult life.