Man Admits Killing, Denies Murder of Brother-in-Law with Gunfire

A man has admitted to the killing of his brother-in-law but denies the charge of murder following a shooting incident in Dublin. Christopher Devine, aged 44, opened fire with a submachine gun on Michael Tormey, 49, in the front garden of Tormey’s residence on January 9, 2022. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, where the prosecution asserts that Devine was not suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident.

During the opening statements, Garret Baker, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued that the evidence will show that Devine met the criteria for cocaine intoxication rather than any mental health issues. The court has been informed that a psychiatrist will testify for the defense, claiming that Devine was experiencing a substance-induced psychotic disorder at the time of the shooting.

Background of the Incident

Jodie Devine, the accused’s daughter, provided emotional testimony regarding her father’s struggle with cocaine addiction. She disclosed that her father had been using cocaine intermittently since she was a child but had increased his usage significantly in the months leading up to the shooting. By September 2021, she noted that he was using cocaine up to four times a week, which often led to him isolating himself from his six children.

In her testimony, Jodie described her father’s alarming behavior, stating that he would often express paranoia, believing there were people in the walls. She said, “Before this he was one of the most amazing people I could imagine having as a father…he would help you without even having to ask.” However, she acknowledged a “marked change” in his personality as he became more reclusive and erratic.

Jodie recounted a particularly distressing scene on the night of January 8, 2022, when she witnessed her father handling a gun in their home. “He was calm but didn’t look right,” she said, adding that he expressed love for his children and gave them money before leaving the house that night. Shortly after, she received the news that Tormey had been shot.

Witness Testimonies and Evidence

Dillon Kennedy, Jodie’s boyfriend, corroborated her account, stating that he also saw Devine with a gun on the floor of the living room earlier that evening. Kennedy described the weapon as possibly being an MP5 submachine gun, a type of firearm depicted in video games he played. He noted that Devine appeared to be acting erratically and was “not in the right frame of mind” during the hours leading up to the shooting.

The timeline of events indicates that Devine left Convent Lawns, where he resided, shortly before Tormey’s fatal encounter. Witnesses reported that ten minutes after Devine left, they learned of the shooting incident involving Tormey.

As the trial progresses, the jury will weigh the testimonies against the backdrop of Devine’s admitted cocaine use and the nature of his mental state at the time of the shooting. The case has captured public attention, with family dynamics and the impact of addiction at the forefront of discussions.

Court proceedings are set to continue on Monday before Ms. Justice Melanie Greally and a jury comprising nine men and three women. The outcome will hinge on the interpretation of Devine’s mental state and the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.