Richard Satchwell remanded in ongoing custody for a month
RICHARD Satchwell, who is charged with the murder of his Irish wife, has been remanded in custody for a month as a judge was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is still considering the garda case file.
Satchwell (57), was remanded in ongoing custody for four weeks as he appeared by video link before Judge Brian O’Shea at Clonmel District Court.
He was charged with the murder of his wife, Tina (45), three days after her body was discovered wrapped in plastic and buried beneath the stairwell of a property in Youghal, Co Cork.
Tina had vanished without trace in March 2017 and was the focus of a major garda missing person investigation for over six and a half years.
Judge O’Shea adjourned the matter until February 13 but warned that, on the next occasion, any adjournment will be peremptory against the State.
The British-born truck driver, who has an address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork, was charged with the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell nee Dingivan, at a special sitting of Cashel District Court last October.
He is charged with her murder on March 20 2017 at a location in Cork. The charge is brought contrary to Common Law.
Judge O’Shea was informed by Sergeant Tom O’Brien that no instructions have been received as yet from the DPP.
“The DPP has the file. They are considering the file in relation to charges,” he said.
Solicitor Aidan Leahy, acting for Satchwell’s defence solicitor Eddie Burke, said Mr Burke had been unable to obtain instructions from his client before the court sitting.
Judge O’Shea explained to the defendant, who appeared by video link, the implications of the State remand application.
“I can put the matter back for two weeks without your consent or I can put the matter back for four weeks with your consent,” Judge O’Shea explained.
The defendant confirmed he was agreeing to the longer remand period.
“I am consenting to four weeks,” he said.
Satchwell did not speak further during the hearing.
Earlier this month, Supt Adrian Gamble confirmed that he personally supervised the handing of the case file to the State Solicitor for North Cork, Jerry Healy, for submission to the DPP.
Supt Gamble explained to the court that some of the matters in respect of the case file, such as expert reports, had been outside the control of the gardaí.
Satchwell has been in custody now for over 13 weeks.
The defendant appeared by video link wearing a grey sports top.