Opinion of Sergeant that protesters were committing public order offence was reasonable

Criminal law – case stated appeal from District Court – s. 52(1) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 – offences contrary to s. 24(3), s. 9 and s. 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 – Irish water protesters – number of people standing on the road immediately in front of the truck – public order – offence of wilful obstruction of traffic – absence of lawful authority or reasonable excuse – was the District judge correct in law and holding that there was inadequate evidence that each of the defendants was acting without lawful authority or reasonable excuse – section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 – there was no evidence of any kind to suggest that the defendants were obstructing traffic without lawful authority or reasonable excuse – legitimate opinion or suspicion to ground an arrest – Sergeant Gilmore’s opinion of his belief that the accused were committing an offence under s. 9 was a reasonable opinion – given by Sergeant Gilmore and his subsequent arrest of the three accused under s. 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 is reasonable and lawful – remaining charge reverted back to District Court – case stated answered.