Courts / Dublin / Report

Machine gun victim shot five times, pathologist tells murder trial

Date
2025-12-01
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A man who was shot dead in his front garden was struck by five bullets which went through his body, causing bleeding, rib fractures and partial lung collapse, a murder trial has heard. Christopher Devine (44), with an address at Convent Lawns, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot in Dublin 10 has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022. The jury has heard that a consultant psychiatrist to be called by the defence will give evidence that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder called substance-induced psychotic disorder at the time. However, it is the State's case that the accused man was not suffering from a mental disorder and instead meets the criteria for cocaine intoxication. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told Garret Baker SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that she carried out a post mortem on Mr Tormey's body in the Dublin District Mortuary on the day of the shooting.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Machine gun victim shot five times, pathologist tells murder trial. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Christopher Devine

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

State Pathologist Dr Margaret

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)

Places mentioned

Residence
  • Kylemore Road
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Thomond Road

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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