Dublin tattoo artist guilty of attacking garda

A tattoo artist has been found guilty of attacking and injuring a garda after he was challenged leaving his business premises late at night wearing a balaclava.

Devin Singleton, aged 25, of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan Fitzpatrick. The garda suffered a fractured little finger during the incident at Edenmore Avenue in Coolock in Dublin on the night of January 25, 2015.

He was also found guilty of resisting arrest but Judge Bryan Smyth dismissed a charge for unlawful possession of a small tomahawk hatchet.

Judge Smyth said they were serious charges and warranted a prison sentence. However, he noted the man had no previous convictions.

He adjourned sentencing until April for a probation report on Singleton’s suitablity to carry out 200 hours’ community service in lieu of a nine-month jail sentence.

Garda Brendan Fitzpatrick told Dublin District Court he approached the defendant who was coming out of a premises wearing what appeared to be a balaclava.

He said it was close to midnight and he was met with aggression and was struck by the accused before he was placed in a headlock and brought to the ground in a violent struggle.

“I found it difficult to breath,” he said.

He alleged Singleton tried to get his baton and pepper-spray and during a struggle both men went to the ground.