Tattoo artist death: Aidan Mann killer jailed for at least nine years

A antheral volition walk astatine slightest 9 years successful situation for the sidesplitting of Northern Ireland tattoo creator Aidan Mann.

Mr Mann, 28, known arsenic creator Zen Black, was stabbed 14 times astatine Church Street successful Downpatrick, successful January 2022.

The tribunal said that helium was an wholly guiltless unfortunate who did thing to provoke the fatal attack.

Barry Donnelly, 38, whose code was fixed arsenic Church Street successful Downpatrick, admitted manslaughter pleading diminished responsibility.

He was fixed an indeterminate custodial condemnation astatine Belfast Crown Court connected Tuesday.

The justice said Donnelly indispensable service astatine slightest 9 years successful situation earlier helium is eligible to beryllium considered for release.

A erstwhile proceeding was told that Donnelly had been "actively psychotic" astatine the clip of the attack.

He besides pleaded blameworthy to the offences of possession of violative weapons and battle occasioning existent bodily harm relating to a erstwhile onslaught connected a parent and lad successful June 2021.

CCTV footage shown successful tribunal traced Donnelly's movements connected that time of Mr Mann's death.

The 2 were neighbours - though they hardly knew each other.

The deceased near his level astatine astir 11:00 GMT. After being approached by Donnelly, Mr Mann crossed the roadworthy and started moving on Church Street, inactive wearing a motorcycle helmet and being chased by his equipped pursuer.

The pursuit continued and, astatine 1 point, Mr Mann turned round, looked backmost astatine Donnelly and appeared to motion astatine him earlier helium crossed the roadworthy into oncoming traffic.

The CCTV footage past showed Donnelly catching up with Mr Mann connected the pavement extracurricular a car dealership.

After Mr Mann fell to the ground, Donnelly straddled him and stabbed him repeatedly successful the chest, limb and torso.

Members of the nationalist intervened, pulled Donnelly disconnected Mr Mann and called 999. He was arrested portion inactive being restrained by the public.

Two ample room knifes utilized by Donnelly were seized from the scene.

A authoritative astatine an earlier proceeding said that astatine the country Donnelly shouted it was a revenge onslaught for his member who had been murdered the erstwhile evening, which the lawyer said "transpired to beryllium wholly wrong".

Donnelly was admitted to a psychiatric portion - the Shannon session - successful the period aft the sidesplitting wherever helium remains.

Two advisor psychiatrists agreed that the suspect was suffering from an abnormality of intelligence functioning arising from schizophrenia astatine the clip of the attack.

A psychiatrist indicated that helium would astir apt not request to stay for attraction overmuch longer and envisaged him moving to prison.

Donnelly's defence barrister told the tribunal that his lawsuit had not been alert that helium was suffering from acute intelligence unwellness until aft the "terrible act" successful which Mr Mann died.

He said his lawsuit has expressed "regret, remorse and heartbreak".

PSNI Det Insp Foreman said said the "senseless" onslaught had happened successful the precocious morning, "when members of the nationalist were going astir their business".

The detective thanked those who ran to Mr Mann's assistance and who phoned exigency services.

"There are nary words that tin undo the tragic events of that morning," helium added.

"There's thing that tin easiness the symptom and sadness of those who knew and loved Aidan, and my thoughts are precise overmuch with them today."