Courts / Cork / Report

Jury in Richard Satchwell trial hear of moment wife's body was uncovered

Date
2025-05-12
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Youghal
County
Cork

Summary

In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury heard how gardai uncovered the body of his wife, Tina, in a grave dug almost one metre deep beneath the stairs of their home, more than six years after she was reported missing. The prosecution described how forensic archaeologists, led by Dr Niamh McCullagh, excavated the site after a detective noticed a different pour of concrete under the stairs. The body, wrapped in black plastic, was exposed at 8.35 pm on 11 October 2023 and fully excavated the next day, with the remains placed in a body bag at 2.40 pm on 12 October. Detective Garda Brian Barry and builders had broken the concrete, revealing the burial. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with Mr Satchwell, aged 58, pleading not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, between 19 and 20 March 2017.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury in Richard Satchwell trial hear of moment wife's body was uncovered. Charges or matters: murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell – nee Dingivan – at that address between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He said he believed the reason it was so deep was because the earth under the stairs was sandy and easy to dig. CNI source report

Case subjects

Richard Satchwell

Defendant

Charges: murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell – nee Dingivan – at that address between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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