Gardai warned over Satchwell murder charge
Judge says it ‘could be struck out’ over delay on book of evidence
A JUDGE has warned gardai the murder charge against Richard Satchwell over the death of his wife could be struck out if the book of evidence is not ready in two weeks’ time.
Judge Brian O’shea told gardai in Clonmel District Court the case against the 57-year-old may be dismissed on March 26 if it is not produced on that date.
He added: “You are facing an uphill struggle not to have it struck out on that date if you don’t have the book of evidence. I am expecting the book to be here.”
Satchwell, a native of Leicester in England, appeared in court by video link yesterday having previously been charged with the murder of his wife.
The former truck driver was charged last October with the murder, contrary to common law, of Tina Satchwell on March 20, 2017, at a location in Cork.
Satchwell was charged after gardai found the skeletal remains of Mrs Satchwell while excavating a concrete floor and walled up area under a stairwell of her home in Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork.
Yesterday, Sgt Tom O’brien said that he could not guarantee the book of evidence would be ready in a fortnight.
Sgt O’brien made an application for Satchwell to be remanded in custody for a period of four weeks.
Judge O’shea noted the defendant was first charged over five months ago.
He said it was indicated at a hearing of the case last month the book of evidence would be ready to be served on Satchwell by the end of March.
INVESTIGATING
Sgt O’brien said that investigating garda, Detective Garda David Kelleher, would be present in court on March 26 to apply for an extension if required.
Judge O’shea again warned the case could be struck out if the book of evidence is not ready at the next court hearing.
Satchwell was clean shaven and wearing a white top and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance in a fortnight.
The DPP last month directed Satchwell be tried on a single charge of murder at the Central Criminal Court. Satchwell first appeared in court on October 14, 2023 in connection with the alleged offence.
Evidence of arrest charge and caution was given by Detective Garda David Kelleher. Dt Garda Kelleher said Satchwell had been formally charged with the murder of his wife in Cobh Garda Station the previous day. Legal aid was granted.
Mrs Satchwell was a native of St Bernard’s Place in Fermoy, Co Cork, who was living in Youghal at the time of her death. She was reported missing on March 24, 2017, by her husband.
Gardai followed 400 lines of inquiry, watched hundreds of hours of CCTV and took witness statements from 170 people.
A major sea and land search was carried out by gardai following her disappearance.
In March 2018 gardai led a major search for Tina in Mitchel’s Wood in Castlemartyr, Co Cork.
In March last year, on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance, gardai issued a renewed appeal for information in a bid to locate her.
You are facing an uphill struggle not to have it struck out JUDGE BRIAN O’SHEA COURT YESTERDAY