Courts / Dublin / Report
Brother of man gunned down in own front garden says 'decent, honest' sibling 'paid ultimate price'
Summary
The brother of Michael Tormey, a man fatally shot by his brother-in-law Christopher Devine in his own front garden, described his sibling as a 'decent, honest man' who paid the ultimate price for meeting people involved in the drugs trade. Devine was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Tormey, who was shot five times in his front garden. The court heard that Devine had a history of drug-related activity with Mr Tormey and had previously been involved in moving drugs. The jury rejected Devine's claim of diminished responsibility due to cocaine intoxication, finding that he acted deliberately. Victim impact statements highlighted the devastation caused to the Tormey family, with Mr Tormey's brother describing the murder as 'coldly' executed. Devine had no psychiatric history and had never taken psychiatric medication. The trial revealed that Devine had a history of previous convictions, mostly under the road traffic act, and had been involved in drug-related activity with Mr Tormey. Christopher Devine pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Brother of man gunned down in own front garden says 'decent, honest' sibling 'paid ultimate price'. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 13 Incident
- 2025-12-19 Publication
Why: The jury panel had rejected Devine's defence that he should be found guilty of manslaughter because he had a mental disorder which would have diminished his capacity to control himself. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Christopher Devine, who was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, that his brother-in-law through marriage Michael Tormey was "never in his life involved in criminal activity" and had made "a serious error of judgment" getting involved with "these people" but was only around them for "a short period". Handing down the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder, Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the victim impact statement conveyed the "huge devastation" caused to so many lives from Devine's "brutal act of murder".
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Kylemore Road
- Thomond Road
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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