Man Admits Killing, Claims Mental Disorder in Fatal Shooting

URGENT UPDATE: A man has admitted to killing his brother-in-law but denies the murder charge, claiming he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident. The shocking trial began yesterday at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, focusing on the fatal shooting that occurred on January 9, 2022.

Christopher Devine, 44, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey, 49, but maintains he was not in control of his actions due to alleged cocaine-induced psychosis. Prosecutor Garret Baker emphasized to the jury that Devine was not suffering from a mental disorder but was intoxicated with cocaine when the shooting took place.

Devine’s daughter, Jodie Devine, testified about her father’s long struggle with cocaine addiction, revealing he had been increasingly erratic leading up to the incident. She stated, “He would think there were people in the walls… he wouldn’t even recognize his own family.” This alarming behavior, she noted, began intensifying in the months prior to the shooting.

In her testimony, Jodie recalled witnessing her father with a gun in their home just hours before the tragedy. She described him as calm yet disoriented, saying he had held the firearm improperly and expressed profound love for his children. “He was crying, talking about how much he loved his children and how proud he was of them,” she said.

Witness Dillon Kennedy, Jodie’s boyfriend, corroborated her account, stating he observed Devine with the gun on the floor beside him and noted that he seemed “not in the right frame of mind.” He confirmed that after Devine left their home late that night, he heard the shocking news that Tormey had been shot.

The trial has unveiled a disturbing portrait of addiction and its devastating impact. Jodie highlighted the drastic change in her father’s demeanor, stating, “Before this, he was one of the most amazing people I could imagine having as a father.”

As the jury hears more evidence, the case raises critical questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility. The prosecution argues that Devine was fully aware of his actions, while the defense is set to present expert testimony regarding his alleged mental disorder.

The trial continues on Monday before Ms. Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of nine men and three women, as the courtroom awaits further developments in this tragic case.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.