Sniffer dogs called in to find missing Tina
Husband Richard ‘sick with worry’
GARDAI have called in sniffer dogs that can detect bodies as they carry out a two-week search in woodland for missing Tina Satchwell.
As revealed exclusively in the Irish Mirror, officers launched their operation after a witness came forward with new information.
They claimed to have spotted a man acting suspiciously in the area who was known to Tina at the time of her disappearance last year.
Sources also indicated investigators are examining the possibility this man may have been in the company of a blonde woman in the woodland.
A source said: “This investigation is completely focused on this information from this witness who came forward after an appeal. This information has been tested and is thought to be credible enough to warrant a huge operation.
“British police have provided so-called cadaver dogs which have been used in the past by gardai to sniff out decomposed bodies.
“Investigators just want to bring Tina home to her family and give them an answer to what may have happened.”
Yesterday the 46-year-old’s husband Richard Satchwell told TV3 News he “could never harm” his wife.
He said: “I’m hoping Tina is out there and is going to get in touch. To be honest I don’t want to be going down the other way because I don’t think I could cope.
“I feel sick. I have been in touch with Tina’s family and they have been the same way. You hope it’s not but you always have that feeling, like, you know, I didn’t sleep a wink last night and I won’t tonight because the worry is always there.”
Mr Satchwell said he has never been in the woods where the dig is taking place.
He added: “I could never harm my wife, everyone knows that, my wife is there somewhere and I do believe she is going to turn up and it will all be able to be put to bed.”
Gardai launched their search yesterday morning after examining the tip-off. Sixty officers are said to be involved in the operation with 40 acres of woodland to cover near the village of Castlemartyr. Military personnel have provided mobile buildings and other logistical assistance.
The woodland has also been fenced off and a 24-hour protection post will be placed on the scene.
The woodland is 12 miles from the home Tina shared with Richard in Youghal, East Cork.
A Garda statement revealed the investigation has resulted in more than 220 separate lines of inquiry.
Detectives also reached out to police forces internationally through Interpol.
Mr Satchwell reported Tina missing on March 24 last year, and said he had not seen her for four days.
In a development to the case he told gardai on July 9 he had found two suitcases at a clothes bank in the Tesco car park in Youghal, similar to ones belonging to his wife. DNA analysis
established they had no link to Tina.
Forensic investigators also examined the family home but found no evidence of foul play.
Supt Colm Noonan spoke at Mitchel’s Wood in Castlemartyr as the latest search began.
He explained it was part of an “open and ongoing investigation” but would not discuss any detail.
He said it was an “extensive woodland site” and the search would be carried out by gardai in North Cork assisted by specialists from the Defence Forces.
Asked if they were looking for a body, Supt Noonan stressed it was a search for “evidence in relation to the disappearance of Tina Satchwell”.
He added: “We are in regular contact with the Satchwell family and they have been informed of this operation.
“You will appreciate this is a very stressful time for them and I would urge that they be afforded privacy at this time.
“We are appealing to any member of the public who may have any information concerning Tina to contact us in the strictest of confidence.
“Particularly I wish to urge anyone who has information relating to activity in or around the woods at Mitchel’s Wood, Bridgetown, Castlemartyr, Co Cork, at the time of Tina’s disappearance in March, 2017 to contact the incident room at Midleton Garda station at 021 4621550 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666111.”
I didn’t sleep a wink last night because the worry is always there
RICHARD SATCHWELL
YESTERDAY