Man, 50s, arrested on suspicion of murdering Tina Satchwell is freed but is still chief suspect
Gardaí seal off home of missing woman and use diggers to comb property
A MAN arrested on suspicion of the murder of missing woman Tina Satchwell was released without charge by gardaí yesterday evening but still remains the chief suspect.
The man, who was known to Mrs Satchwell, was arrested by officers on Tuesday evening.
Gardaí said they had upgraded the case from missing persons to murder. Mrs Satchwell vanished from her home in Youghal, Co. Cork, in March 2017. The case has always remained active and gardaí had a specific person in mind in relation to her disappearance.
Acting on intelligence, they arrested a man in his 50s. He was questioned at Cobh Garda Station but was released. No file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding his questioning but he remains the chief suspect in the woman’s disappearance, multiple sources have told the Irish Daily Mail.
Gardaí have sealed off Mrs Satchwell’s home on Grattan Street in Youghal and have been conducting forensic sweeps of the house. Special drilling and heavyduty hammer equipment have also been brought in to assist with the search. Along with that, specially trained cadaver dogs are being used to check if Mrs Satchwell might be buried somewhere on the property.
A well-placed source told the Mail: ‘Gardaí have been acting on intelligence when they upgraded the investigation to that of murder.
‘This is never done lightly. There has to be evidence to suggest that Tina had died.
‘The search is looking at areas both outside and inside the house and this special equipment will be used to dig areas where gardaí think Tina’s remains might lie.’
The source added: ‘The man who was arrested has always been in the frame for her disappearance. The Garda attention has always been on him.
‘He did the full 24-hour questioning in one go and refused to take a break – something which is legally given to people.
‘He is saying that he is innocent of everything and that gardaí have made a mistake.
‘It looks like forensics are going to be at the property for the rest of the week searching for clues that might solve this.
‘Gardaí have brought in mini diggers to excavate areas both inside and outside of the house. Special chemicals will also be used to check for any traces of blood that are not visible to the naked eye as well. This is inch-by-inch stuff. A car and a truck have also been taken away for forensic examination. There will be no stone left unturned here.’
In a statement yesterday evening, gardaí said the inquiry into Mrs Satchwell’s death is continuing. A spokesman said: ‘Gardaí in Midleton district are continuing investigations into all the circumstances surrounding the murder of Tina Satchwell.
‘Tina was reported as missing from her home on Grattan Street, Youghal, Co. Cork, in March 2017.
‘The male, 50s, arrested on suspicion of murder, [on] October 10 2023, has been released from Garda custody without charge.
Investigating gardaí continue to search a residence on Grattan Street in Youghal, Co. Cork.
‘Gardaí continue to appeal for any person who may have information relevant to the investigation to contact Midleton Garda Station on 021 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.’
The missing woman’s husband, Richard Satchwell, made repeated public appeals for information on his wife’s whereabouts and also appeared on RTÉ’s Ray D’Arcy Show to put more attention on her disappearance. He suggested that his wife had struggled with her mental health, claiming that he often spent nights trying to soothe the distressed woman.
In early 2021, female remains were discovered in Midleton, Co. Cork, prompting speculation that what happened to Mrs Satchwell might finally be unearthed. However, forensic examinations found that the remains belonged to a woman who had been at least 70 at the time of her death.
In one of his most recent interviews, Mr Satchwell pleaded for his wife to ‘get in touch’. ‘All I would say at this time is for anyone with any news to contact someone, anyone,’ he aid.
And in a direct message to Mrs Satchwell, he pleaded with her to
‘He is saying he is innocent’ ‘Someone knows what happened’
make contact. ‘Get in touch, because at this point in time I only have one big question, which is: “why?” But I’m still willing to sit down and talk things through.’
In December, Mrs Satchwell’s sister Teresa Dingivan made a public plea for information on what would have been her sibling’s 50th birthday.
Mrs Satchwell was last seen in public at a car boot sale in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, with her husband, the day before she vanished. ‘Someone knows what happened to Tina, someone had a hand in her disappearance,’ Ms Dingivan said.
‘Even the smallest clue could help. There has been no update, no news... it’s like a cold case at this stage. I’m at a loss to know where she is.’