Courts / Dublin / Report

Cocaine-taking gunman knew what he was doing by unloading machine gun into friend, prosecution tell intoxication murder trial

Date
2025-12-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury that Christopher Devine, who is on trial for the murder of Michael Tormey, acted with a functioning mind and full intent when he fired a machine gun at his friend. Garret Baker SC argued that the accused deliberately drove to the victim's house twice and fired two bursts of five bullets, showing clear intent to kill. He dismissed the defense's claim that Devine was suffering from a mental disorder, stating that forensic psychiatrist Dr James Walsh found the accused was suffering from cocaine intoxication, not a mental illness. Baker emphasized that even if intoxicated, the accused's brain was functioning and he had a clear intention to kill. He also criticized the defense psychiatrist's findings as too vague and unreliable. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues with the jury considering whether the accused's intoxication diminished his responsibility for the act.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cocaine-taking gunman knew what he was doing by unloading machine gun into friend, prosecution tell intoxication 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:

January 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-12-04 Publication

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