Man accused of fatal stabbing set to go on trial

Man accused of fatal stabbing set to go on trial

17 August 2022

A DOWNPATRICK man accused of murdering a man near his home in broad daylight is to go on trial.

Barry Donnelly (36), of Church Street, is accused of the murder of Aidan Mann on January 3.

Donnelly did not attend the preliminary enquiry hearing at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday because he is currently in a secure mental health unit at Knockbracken Healthcare Park.

Donnelly is also charged with possessing two large kitchen knives in a public place on the same date.

Twenty eight year-old Mr Mann, a talented tattoo artist, who also went by the name of Zen Black, died at the scene of the attack in Church Street.

A native of Bangor, he was treated by paramedics as he lay on the ground following the incident at around 11am. However, their attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. 

Donnelly is accused of causing actual bodily harm to a man and a woman on June 28 last year.

He is also charged with possessing a golf club as a weapon with intent to cause ABH on the same date. 

District Judge Peter Magill remanded Donnelly into custody and returned him for trial on a date to be fixed. 

Defence barrister Caitriona Keenan said both sets of indictments would likely “proceed together in the Crown Court”.