Case No. 7364Murder · Co. Cork · 20 Mar 2017

Richard Satchwell charged with murder of wife Tina Satchwell in Youghal

The murder of Tina Satchwell, 45, is alleged to have taken place on 20 March 2017 at 3 Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork. Her husband, Richard Satchwell, 57, reported her missing in March 2017, and human remains were later found in the house during a Garda search in October 2023. Dental records identified the remains as hers. Mr Satchwell was arrested on 10 October, released without charge, rearrested on 12 October, and charged with murder at Cobh Garda Station on 13 October. On 14 October he appeared at a special sitting of Cashel District Court, where he was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Clonmel District Court on 17 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested12 Oct
    6 reports
  3. Charged13 Oct
    5 reports
  4. In court14 Oct
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Tina Satchwell was aged 45 according to most reports, though one report gives her age as 44.
  • Richard Satchwell, aged 57, is charged with the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell.
Where
The murder is alleged to have taken place at the couple's home at 3 Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork.
When
  • Ms Satchwell was last seen in public with her husband in Carrigtwohill on 19 March 2017 and is alleged to have been murdered on 20 March 2017.
  • Ms Satchwell was reported missing to gardaí by her husband on 24 March 2017.
Cause
Gardaí became suspicious of Mr Satchwell after finding significant inaccurate information in witness statements he made.
Investigation
  • The missing person inquiry was reclassified as a murder investigation after a review of the file, with 400 lines of inquiry and 170 statements in the original investigation.
  • Human remains wrapped in black plastic and understood to be mummified were found in an alcove under a stairwell in the hall of the house, with one report saying they were under floorboards in a downstairs room.
  • Dental records confirmed the remains are those of Tina Satchwell, and the cause of her death is not yet known.
  • A man was arrested on Tuesday 10 October, released without charge on Wednesday, and rearrested at a bus shelter in Youghal on Thursday 12 October.
Charges
Richard Satchwell was charged with murder at Cobh Garda Station on Friday 13 October, with reports giving the charge time as 8.03pm and 8.07pm.
In court
  • Mr Satchwell appeared before Judge Miriam Walsh at a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary on 14 October, where legal aid was granted.
  • Mr Satchwell was remanded in custody, as bail cannot be granted at district court level for murder charges.
  • Mr Satchwell is due to appear by video link at Clonmel District Court on 17 October.
Other details
A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to Ms Satchwell's family.
141 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí rearrested a man for questioning about the suspected murder of Tina Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHuman remains were found during a search of a house in Youghal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe missing persons investigation into Tina Satchwell was upgraded to a full murder case. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatTina Satchwell was reported missing in 2017 by her husband. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatHuman remains were found at a depth of almost a metre under a concrete floor under the stairs. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe human remains are believed to be those of Ms Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Tina Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe decomposed body was found buried in earth almost a metre down. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSkeletal remains found under a stairwell in the house were confirmed by dental records to be Tina Satchwell. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe remains were identified as those of Tina Satchwell. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatTina Satchwell has been missing since March 20, 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRichard Satchwell appeared before Judge Miriam Walsh at Cashel District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe house searched is in Youghal, east Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereTina Satchwell was reported missing from her home on Grattan Street in Youghal on 20 March 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe search is taking place at Tina Satchwell's property on Grattan Street in Youghal. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe search is at a house on Grattan Street in Youghal. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereHuman remains were discovered in a house in Youghal, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe remains were found in a stairwell on the ground floor of a three-storey house on Grattan Street. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe remains were found in a house on Grattan Street in Youghal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr Satchwell was arrested again at a bus stop in Youghal on Thursday. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe remains were found in an alcove under a stairwell in a hall in the couple's home on Grattan Street in Youghal. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereHe was charged at Cobh Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHuman remains were found in an alcove under a stairwell in a hall in his home on Grattan Street in Youghal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe murder is alleged to have taken place at the couple's home at Grattan Street in Youghal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder is alleged to have happened at 3 Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe man was arrested in Youghal town centre at around 12pm on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTina Satchwell was reported missing from her Youghal home by her husband in March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTina Satchwell was last seen in public in Carrigtwohill with her husband on 19 March 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe man was arrested on the afternoon before the article was published. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenTina Satchwell disappeared on 20 March 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenTina Satchwell was reported missing to gardaí in Fermoy on 24 March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe remains were found at about 9pm on Wednesday night. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe man was arrested on Tuesday and released without charge on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe man was arrested again at a bus shelter in Youghal at about noon on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMs Satchwell was reported missing by her husband on March 24th, 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMs Satchwell was reported missing by her husband in March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTina Satchwell was reported missing from her house on Grattan Street in March 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenTina Satchwell had been missing since March 20, 2017. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested for the second time in less than 24 hours. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have taken place on 20 March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTina Satchwell was reported missing to gardaí on 24 March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on 20 March 2017. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenTina Satchwell was reported missing on 24 March 2017 by her husband Richard. (corkbeo.ie)
  • causeGardaí became suspicious of a man after finding significant inaccurate information in witness statements he made. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe cause of Ms Satchwell's death is not yet known and test results may take weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was taken to Cobh Garda station for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was first arrested at his Youghal house on Tuesday evening and released without charge on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe State Pathologist's Office attended the scene to carry out a preliminary examination of the remains. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA swabs taken from the remains will be compared with DNA from a member of Ms Satchwell's family. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe remains are to be taken to Cork University Hospital for a full postmortem examination. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí reviewed the missing person file, which began in November 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí followed 400 lines of inquiry in the original investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe case was reclassified from a missing person inquiry to a murder investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda technical experts searched a lock-up shed rented by the suspect and seized some electronic equipment. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation into Tina Satchwell's disappearance has been upgraded to a murder investigation. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí sealed off a residence on Grattan Street in Youghal and a technical examination has commenced. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationExtensive searches of the couple's home, the Youghal coastline and Mitchel's Wood were conducted over the six years of the investigation. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationDigging equipment was brought in to search ground behind the house. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are acting on new evidence about renovations believed to have taken place at the property when Tina Satchwell disappeared. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationSpecialist search and forensic teams have been working at the property. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with relevant information to contact Midleton Garda Station. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí moved an industrial brush and wood shredder onto the site to clear the back garden. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have taken over 170 statements during the investigation. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are working on the theory that the missing woman may be buried at the property. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 50s known to Tina Satchwell was arrested and is being detained at a Garda station in Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationThe case has been upgraded to a murder investigation. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationA review team from the Cork North and West Division, led by Det Supt Seán Healy and Det Insp AnnMarie Twomey, examined the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí set up an incident room at Carrigtwohill in late July to co-ordinate the case review. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was initially arrested on a Tuesday evening. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationScenes-of-crime examiners with cutting and digging tools went into the house after the arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA preliminary examination was carried out by the assistant state pathologist, and the remains were taken to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA lock-up shed rented by the suspect near Youghal was searched, but gardaí found nothing of great evidential value there. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was taken to Cobh Garda station for further questioning. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect is being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationSources believe the remains are those of Ms Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí believe a brick wall beside the stairs was built shortly after Ms Satchwell disappeared. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe wall was noticed by detectives reviewing the investigation file in recent months. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe remains were examined by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster and taken to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe postmortem results had not been released for operational reasons. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDental records confirmed that the human remains were those of Ms Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a man for questioning on Tuesday and he was released without charge on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was arrested again at a bus shelter in Youghal town centre on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe missing persons investigation was upgraded to a full murder case on Tuesday. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationMr Satchwell was questioned for 24 hours at Cobh garda station before being charged. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are awaiting DNA analysis. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationHe was questioned on suspicion of his wife's murder after being arrested for the second time in less than 24 hours. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe remains were understood to be mummified and wrapped in plastic. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe identification was made through dental records. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationOfficers seized a car and a lorry connected to the suspect. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationSearches at the house were continuing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationA garda cadaver dog detected areas of interest inside the home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe remains have been identified as those of Tina Satchwell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized a car and a lorry connected to the suspect. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Richard Satchwell at Cobh Garda station on 13 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHuman remains were found wrapped in black plastic under the stairs of the house the couple shared. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí identified the remains as Tina Satchwell's, with a belly button stud and a Tweety Bird tattoo that she was known to wear. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA dental records check at postmortem confirmed the remains were those of the missing woman. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationRemains found at a property in Youghal were identified via dental records as those of Tina Satchwell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí followed 400 lines of inquiry, watched hundreds of hours of CCTV and took statements from 170 people after she was reported missing. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationThe case was upgraded to a murder inquiry earlier in the week of the court appearance. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationMr Satchwell was arrested at 7:34 pm on the Friday before the court appearance at Cobh Garda Station in Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeThe man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 on suspicion of murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man was released without charge after 24 hours in custody at Cobh garda station. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeA Garda source said gardaí were confident they could charge the man with murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA man was charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe 57-year-old suspect was charged just before 8pm on Friday by gardaí at Cobh. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeRichard Satchwell has been charged in connection with the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeRichard Satchwell was charged with his wife's murder at Cobh Garda Station in Co Cork. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeRichard Satchwell has been charged with the murder of his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeRichard Satchwell was charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell. (irishtimes.com, corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeDetective Garda David Kelleher said he charged Satchwell with the murder of Tina Satchwell at Cobh Garda Station at 8:03pm on October 13. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMr Satchwell was formally charged with murder at 8.07 pm on the Friday. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe suspect was to be brought before a special sitting of Cashel District Court at 10.30am on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Satchwell is to appear before a special sitting of Cashel District Court at 10.30am the next morning. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtHe was due to appear before a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHe is due before a special sitting of Cashel District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtRichard Satchwell was brought to a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtRichard Satchwell was remanded in custody and ordered to appear again at Clonmel District Court by video link. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge granted free legal aid and recommended a medical assessment and treatment while on remand. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSatchwell responded "guilty or not guilty - guilty" when charged after caution. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSatchwell was remanded into custody until a further court appearance via video link on October 17. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted to Satchwell by Judge Walsh. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Satchwell appeared before a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtMr Satchwell said "Guilty or not guilty — guilty" when the charge was put to him under caution. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtGardaí asked that Mr Satchwell be remanded in custody pending his next court appearance. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtNo bail application was made because bail cannot be granted at district court level for murder charges. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtJudge Walsh remanded Mr Satchwell in custody to appear before Clonmel District Court on 17 October. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe skeletal remains were reportedly under floorboards in a downstairs room of the home. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of murder. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Cork County. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherA Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to Tina Satchwell's family. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherTina Satchwell's husband says he had nothing to do with her disappearance. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherGardaí were keeping Ms Satchwell's family updated through a family liaison officer. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIdentity may be confirmed by DNA tests and dental records, possibly by Friday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe remains were found wrapped in black plastic. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe remains were removed to Dublin for DNA analysis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe remains were understood to have been mummified and wrapped in plastic. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRichard Satchwell was born in Leicester and moved to Ireland over 30 years ago. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJudge Miriam Walsh granted Mr Satchwell legal aid. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherMr Satchwell did not speak during the short hearing. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2023
    Tight security at courthouse as Richard Satchwell appears before special sitting

    First report of the charge. Adds the arrest at Cobh Garda Station, the charge, the remand in custody to Clonmel District Court on 17 October, the legal aid grant, and that the case was upgraded to a murder inquiry earlier that week.

    accused, Richard Satchwell, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwellvictim, Tina Satchwell, 45, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  2. 14 Oct2023
    Husband of Tina Satchwell appears in court charged with her murder

    Reports Richard Satchwell's first court appearance at Cashel District Court on the murder charge, the remand, and the legal aid grant. Adds that remains found in Youghal were identified through dental records.

    accused, Richard Satchwell, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwellvictim, Tina Satchwell, 45, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  3. 14 Oct2023
    Tina Satchwell case: Husband charged with murder six years after reporting her missing

    Reports that Richard Satchwell was charged with murder and remanded in custody, that human remains were found under the stairs of the Youghal house, that dental records confirmed the identity, and that he was due before Clonmel District Court on 17 October.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwellaccused, Richard Satchwell, 57, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwell
  4. 14 Oct2023
    Tina Satchwell's husband charged with her murder after remains found in his home

    Reports the murder charge against Richard Satchwell, the court date, and the identification of remains found in his Youghal home as Tina Satchwell, who has been missing since March 2017. The date of the killing is not stated.

    accused, Richard Satchwell, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwellvictim, Tina Satchwell, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  5. 14 Oct2023
    Husband of Tina Satchwell to appear in court charged with her murder

    First report that Richard Satchwell was charged with murdering his wife. Her remains were found in a home in Youghal and identified through dental records. She had been missing since March 20, 2017.

    suspect, Richard Satchwell, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwellvictim, Tina Satchwell, 44, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  6. 13 Oct2023
    Richard Satchwell charged with murder of wife Tina Satchwell

    Reports the charge of Richard Satchwell with murder, the upgrade of the missing persons inquiry to a murder investigation, identification of skeletal remains by dental records, and the court appearance date. Also describes his earlier arrests and questioning.

    accused, Richard Satchwell, 50s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Satchwellvictim, Tina Satchwell, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  7. 13 Oct2023
    Man in his 50s charged with murder of Tina Satchwell in Youghal

    First report of the charge against the 57-year-old suspect, the discovery of human remains in Youghal, and the dental identification of Ms Satchwell.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, 45, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwellaccused, 57, male
  8. 13 Oct2023
    Tina Satchwell murder suspect continues to be questioned after human remains found in Cork house

    Reports that a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murdering Tina Satchwell, who was reported missing in March 2017, after human remains were found in a Youghal house. The article also describes the discovery, the suspect's arrests and detention, and the search of the house.

    suspect, 50s, malevictim, Tina Satchwell, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwell
  9. 12 Oct2023
    Tina Satchwell case: Gardaí reviewing file became suspicious over inaccuracies in witness statements

    Adds that the review began after inaccuracies in the suspect's witness statements, that remains were found at his Youghal house after his arrest, and that a Garda source expected a murder charge.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, 45, femaleTina Satchwellsuspect, 50s, male
  10. 12 Oct2023
    Gardai clearing back garden at house where Tina Satchwell search continues

    Reports a search of a house on Grattan Street in Youghal with heavy equipment, the arrest of a man in his 50s known to Tina Satchwell, the upgrade to a murder investigation, and the theory that she may be buried at the property.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwellsuspect, 50s, male
  11. 12 Oct2023
    Man released as Tina Satchwell murder investigation continues in Youghal

    A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder and released without charge. The missing persons investigation was upgraded to a murder case, and the search of the Youghal property continues.

    suspect, 50s, malevictim, Tina Satchwell, 45, femaleTina Satchwell
  12. 12 Oct2023
    Man arrested as Tina Satchwell investigation updated to murder probe

    Reports that the 2017 missing-persons case is now a murder investigation, with a man in his 50s arrested on suspicion of murder and a residence on Grattan Street sealed off for a technical examination.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, 44, female, irish (judged from name)Tina Satchwellsuspect, 50s, male
  13. 12 Oct2023
    Tina Satchwell case: Man (50s) rearrested as remains found at Cork house after Garda search

    Adds that the man was rearrested on Thursday after human remains were found during a search of his Youghal house, that the case was reclassified from a missing person inquiry to murder, and that a lock-up shed was searched and electronic equipment seized. The man was first arrested on Tuesday and released without charge on Wednesday. No charge is reported.

    victim, Tina Satchwell, 45, femaleTina Satchwellsuspect, 50s, male