Daniel Fahy, 30, told Gort District Court that he was eating a Mars bar while making a handsfree phone call during the disputed incident in February.

The garda in question confirmed that Fahy had shown him a wrapper of a Mars bar, but said he didn’t “think my eyesight is that bad” as to confuse the two.

Solicitor Olivia Lynch, defending Fahy, insisted it was possible the garda was mistaken.

Judge Alec Gabbett said Fahy’s chocolate bar explanation was “the best excuse I’ve had so far”.

He said he had a “slight doubt and I have to give you the benefit of it” and struck out the charge, according to the Connacht Tribune.