[1][2][3] Conaghan was born in Kempsey, New South Wales and was educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill in Sydney.

[6] In August 2022, Conaghan attracted media attention after remarks about Australian Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather for not wearing a tie in Parliament House and objecting to the "state of undress".

Conaghan would continue to complain about the MP's attire despite Speaker Milton Dick's dismissal of the concern and would later say in a statement that "This is not a barbecue.

The poll showed high levels of support in Cowper for celebrating Australia Day on 26 January and nuclear power.

[8] Conaghan lives in Port Macquarie, New South Wales with his wife, Ilona, and their two children.