Tattoo artist denies attacking garda

Dublin District Court told man was wearing a balaclava and possessed a small hatchet

Devin Singleton (25) of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin leaving Dublin District Court on  Monday. Photograph: Court Collins.
Devin Singleton (25) of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin leaving Dublin District Court on Monday. Photograph: Court Collins.

A tattoo artist has denied attacking and injuring a garda after he was allegedly challenged leaving a Dublin barber shop late at night wearing a balaclava.

Devin Singleton (25) of Primrose Grove, Darndale, has pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan Fitzpatrick who is alleged to have suffered a fractured finger during an incident at Edenmore Avenue, Coolock, on January 25th last.

He also denies charges of unlawfully possessing a small hatchet as a weapon and resisting arrest.

Dublin District Court was told “it is alleged that on the night in question the defendant was leaving a barber shop wearing a balaclava”.

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Garda Michael Gormley told the court that they were suspicious circumstances and when challenged by gardaí the man allegedly reacted.

The injured garda suffered a “severe fracture to his finger” and was off work for six months, the court heard. Judge Patricia McNamara was told it appeared the self-employed tattoo artist may have been been working out of the premises, and the incident happened after midnight.

It was alleged that after Mr Singleton reacted gardaí used pepper-spray to arrest him. The court was told that following his arrest he was searched and a small hatchet was found on him but he did not use it or try to use it during the incident.

Judge McNamara accepted jurisdiction and ordered that the man’s district court trial will take place in October.