Christopher Devine given life sentence for Michael Tormey’s murder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Christopher Devine received the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for murdering his brother-in-law, Michael Tormey.

Devine, 44, of Convent Lawns, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter while denying murder. A jury unanimously convicted him of murder.

Tormey, 49, was shot five times in the front garden of his home on Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, in the early hours of January 9th, 2022. Devine drove there and fired a submachine gun before returning to his car and leaving. The gun was never found.

At trial, Devine sought a manslaughter verdict on the basis that a substance-induced psychotic disorder had impaired his capacity to control himself. He also argued that cocaine and alcohol intoxication prevented him from forming an intention to kill or cause serious injury.

Two psychiatrists disagreed about whether he qualified for a manslaughter verdict on diminished-responsibility and intoxication grounds. The jury rejected the defences, accepting the prosecution’s argument that his actions surrounding the killing showed deliberate conduct.

At sentencing, defence counsel Aoife O’Leary BL conveyed Devine’s remorse and regret for his actions.

Patrick Tormey told the court that his brother was an honest, decent man who was not involved in criminal activity. He said Michael had made a serious error in associating briefly with people involved in drugs and that it had cost him his life. Devine had told gardaí that both men had previously moved drugs for others.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the victim impact statements showed the devastation caused by the killing and described the attack at Tormey’s home as brutal and treacherous.