Murdered tattoo artist ‘was a mentor and an idol’

A man who was killed in a broad daylight stabbing attack has been posthumously praised by his colleagues in the tattooing trade.
By Adam Kula
Published 4th Jan 2022, 18:39 BST
The scene in Downpatrick after a violent stabbing took place on the town's Church Street. Credit: Conor Kinahan / PACEMAKER PRESSThe scene in Downpatrick after a violent stabbing took place on the town's Church Street. Credit: Conor Kinahan / PACEMAKER PRESS
The scene in Downpatrick after a violent stabbing took place on the town's Church Street. Credit: Conor Kinahan / PACEMAKER PRESS

The victim was assaulted at around 11am on Monday in Downpatrick, and despite the attention of paramedics he died at the scene.

Police have not officially confirmed his name, but widespread reports online and in other media named him as Aidan Emerson Mann.

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Police said the 28-year-old man was assailed on Church Street in the town centre.

A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of murder.

There had been a separate stabbing incident outside licenced premises on the very same street in the early hours of Saturday.

In that incident, a woman in her 20s was stabbed, and police said a 28-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of wounding with intent (she was later freed on bail).

However, despite their proximity, it is understood detectives are not investigating any link between the two stabbing incidents.

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Mr Mann was a tattooist, and used the name “Zen” in connection with his work.

The UK companies register shows he set up a business called South Street Tattoo Ltd in Newtownards in 2019, but it dissolved the following year.

He appears to have had two tattoo studio Facebook accounts – Zen Black Irezumi, and Zen Black Irezumi – showing he specialised in Japanese-style tattoos.

The latter account states he was from Belfast.

Lulu Franklin, of Sailors and Scoundrels tattoo parlour in Newtownards, wrote online: “Sadly today the world lost one of the best artists and human beings I know.

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“I’ve worked with Aidan/ Zen in three different studios and I’ve seen him grow so much through the years.

“I’ve looked up to him and he’s mentored me and everyone else in the studio.

“I’ll never forgot all he’s taught me .

“He wasn’t just an artist at the studio he was my best friend and a member of our family.”

Fellow tattooist Damian Scott, from the same studio, dubbed him a “free spirit”.

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He wrote: “Sad to say that today I lost one not only my idol within the tattooing industry but a dear friend...

“Keep an eye out over us all up there and rock on!”

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