Judge 'surprised' Garda file on murder-accused Richard Satchwell has yet to be sent to DPP
Co The Last Richard At Court In Wife, Picture: Cashel File October 14 Of A Tina, His Eddie O'hare Tipperary Satchwell Sitting With Murder Charged Was Of On District
The Garda file on the Tina Satchwell case is at an “advanced stage”, a court heard on Tuesday morning, as her husband, Richard, appeared in a Tipperary court having previously been charged with the murder of his wife.
Richard Satchwell, of Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork, was charged with the murder of his wife, Tina, at a sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary on October 14 last. The State charged that on March 20 2017, at a location in Cork, he murdered Tina Satchwell contrary to Common Law.
Mr Satchwell, who is a native of Leicester in the UK, was charged after gardaí found the skeletal remains of his wife while excavating a concrete floor and walled-up area underneath the stairwell of her home in Youghal.
Mr Satchwell, 57, appeared via video link at Clonmel District Court on Tuesday. Sergeant Tom O’Brien told Judge Brian O’Shea DPP directions were awaited in the case. The State applied for a further remand in custody of Mr Satchwell until January 2 next.
Judge O’Shea said it was “quite surprising” the Garda file has yet to be sent to the DPP. He said that it was in the interests of Mr Satchwell and the family of the deceased that the DPP receive it in the near future.
Detective Garda David Kelleher said 38 statements were requested from the initial arrest, detention, further extensions and the subsequent re arrest of Mr Satchwell. He said they were also awaiting State Pathologist, forensic, forensic archaeology, anthropology, State Laboratory and toxicology reports.
Det Garda Kelleher stressed the file was at an “advanced stage.” “We are hoping to have it with the DPP before the end of 2023.”
Mr Satchwell, who was wearing a light grey tracksuit, did not speak during the short hearing other than to confirm that he could hear and see the court proceedings.
Solicitor Aidan Leahy, standing in for solicitor Eddie Burke who is representing Mr Satchwell, consented to the adjournment of the case to January 2 next.
Judge O’Shea remanded Mr Satchwell in custody to appear in court in Clonmel on January 2, 2024.
Meanwhile, Mr Satchwell was previously denied bail at a High Court sitting at Cloverhill Court. Gardaí objected to bail, saying the accused was a flight risk.
Refusing the application, Judge Siobhan Lankford said Mr Satchwell faces "very serious charges, the most serious charges on the criminal canon."