Husband said ‘Guilty or not guilty – guilty’ when charge put by gardaí
THE husband of Tina Satchwell, the woman at the centre of a major six-year Garda missing-persons investigation, appeared in court yesterday where he was charged with her murder.
Richard Satchwell, 57, appeared before a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Tipperary where he was charged with the murder of his 45-year-old wife on March 20, 2017, at 3 Grattan Street in Youghal, Co. Cork.
Mr Satchwell was dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms and a black T-shirt. He sat quietly and did not speak throughout the short hearing.
Detective Garda David Kelleher gave evidence of his arrest, charge and caution. He told the court Mr Satchwell was arrested at 7.34pm on Friday at Cobh Garda Station in Co. Cork and at 8.07pm he was formally charged with the murder of his wife. In reply to the charge, the court heard Mr Satchwell said: ‘Guilty or not guilty – guilty.’ Inspector Aidan Lonergan made an application that Mr Satchwell be remanded in custody pending his next court appearance. Solicitor Eddie Burke, representing Mr Satchwell, made an application for legal aid and told the court that his client was not working. Judge Miriam Walsh granted legal aid in the case.
Mr Burke asked that his client be remanded in custody to Cork Prison but Judge Walsh said this was not within her remit. The solicitor also asked that his client receive ‘medical assistance’ on his entry into prison.
No bail application was made in the case; bail cannot be granted at district court level to people charged with the crime of murder.
Judge Walsh remanded Mr Satchwell in custody to appear before Clonmel District Court on October 17. Mr Burke consented to his client appearing by video link at the next hearing.
There was tight security around the courthouse yesterday and a small crowd had gathered nearby.
Ms Satchwell, née Dingivan, was a native of St Bernard’s Place in Fermoy, Co. Cork, who had been living with her husband in Youghal, Co. Cork, at the time of her death.
The 45-year-old was reported missing on March 24, 2017 by her husband. The case was upgraded to a murder inquiry earlier this week.
Members of Ms Satchwell’s family were present for the hearing in court yesterday.
Satchwell did not speak during hearing
Request for ‘medical assistance’ at prison