Court of Appeal dismisses appeal from High Court, and affirms an answer to a case stated from the District Court, the District Court judge was not entitled to dismiss a prosecution on the grounds that the failure of an 'alcometer' test was the only basis for the opinion of An Garda Síochána that the appellant was incapable of having proper control of a mechanically propelled vehicle and the only matter grounding his arrest.
Appeal by accused against ruling of High Court in answer to case stated by District Court - case stated as to whether District Court entitled to dismiss a prosecution pursuant to ss. 4(4)(a) and 4(5) of the Road Traffic Act 2001 - appellant had failed alcometer test and solely on this basis garda officer formed view that he was intoxicated and had committed an offence - result of later breath test at garda station was such as to properly ground a conviction - alcometer test did not test concentration of alcohol in the breath - no indication from the way the appellant was driving that he was intoxicated - District Court found that there was no reasonable basis to conclude that the appellant was incapable of having proper control of a mechanically propelled vehicle, that his arrest was unlawful and that the evidence must be excluded and the prosecution dismissed - case stated to the High Court as to whether this was correct - High Court found that District Court was incorrect in its finding as to the lack of basis for the opinion formed - whether there was a real question of law raised or whether the DPP was seeking to impugn finding of fact by the trial judge.