Christopher Devine sentenced to life for murdering Michael Tormey

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

Christopher Devine was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for murdering his brother-in-law, Michael Tormey.

Devine, 44, of Convent Lawns, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, shot Tormey with a submachine gun in the front garden of Tormey’s home on Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, in the early hours of January 9th, 2022. Tormey, 49, was hit by five bullets. The weapon was never recovered.

Devine admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder. He argued that a substance-induced psychotic disorder had reduced his ability to control his actions, and that heavy cocaine and alcohol use prevented him from forming an intention to kill or cause serious injury.

Two psychiatrists disagreed during the trial about whether diminished responsibility and cocaine intoxication justified a manslaughter verdict. The jury rejected the defences and unanimously found Devine guilty of murder. The prosecution had argued that his conduct before and after the shooting showed that he acted deliberately.

At sentencing, defence counsel Aoife O’Leary BL said Devine wanted to express remorse and regret for his actions.

In a victim impact statement, Patrick Tormey described his brother as honest and decent and said he was not a criminal. He said Michael’s brief association with people involved in drugs had cost him his life. Devine had told gardaí that he and Tormey had previously moved drugs for others.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the family’s statements showed the devastation the killing had caused to many lives.