HUSBAND IS CHARGED
THE husband of Tina Satchwell replied with the words “guilty or not guilty – guilty” when charged by gardai with her murder, a court heard yesterday.
Richard Satchwell, 57, of Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork, appeared before Judge Miriam Walsh at a special sitting of Cashel District Court.
Satchwell, dressed in a black T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms, kept his head down as he walked into the courthouse – to a large crowd of media shortly before 10.30am.
A tattoo, which had the word “Tina” inside a love heart was visible on his right arm.
Satchwell was seated at the back of the court and remained silent throughout the duration of the short hearing.
Relatives of Tina also attended the hearing.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Detective Garda David Kelleher of Cobh Garda Station said he charged Satchwell with the murder at Cobh Garda Station at 8.03pm on October 13.
In response to charge after caution Det Garda Kelleher said that Mr Satchwell responded: “Guilty or not guilty – guilty.”
Asked by Judge Walsh to repeat what Mr Satchwell’s response was, Det Gda Kelleher said that the accused stated “guilty or not guilty” and then the word “guilty”. Satchwell was then handed a true copy of the charge sheet, the court heard. The accused was remanded into custody until a further court appearance via video link on Tuesday. Judge Walsh remanded Satchwell into custody at Limerick Prison. Mr Satchwell’s solicitor Eddie Burke said he was applying for legal aid and said his client was not working. He also said he was recommending his client receive medical assistance in prison.
Mr Burke asked the judge if his client could be transferred to Cork Prison but the judge said that this was not within her remit. Legal aid was granted by Judge Walsh. Satchwell’s wife Tina, 45, had been missing from her home in Youghal since March 20, 2017.
This week remains discovered behind a wall under stairs at a property in Youghal were identified by dental records as being those of Tina.
The discovery came after a re-examination of the case by gardai earlier this year and the upgrading of the investigation from a missing persons case to a murder inquiry.