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Gardai told Richard Satchwell his description of wife's death was 'physical impossibility', trial hears
Summary
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Gardaí told Richard Satchwell that his description of his wife Tina's death was "most likely a physical impossibility" and "didn't make sense". Satchwell, aged 58, said he had tried to explain the events of March 19‑20, 2017, when Tina, aged 45, disappeared and was later found buried under their stairs in a grave dug in October 2023. He claimed he had held her by the belt of her bathrobe, that the belt may have strangled her, and that he had buried her in a "final goodbye" after lifting her body into the hole. Gardaí questioned the plausibility of his account, noting no evidence of a belt around her neck and that the scene did not match his narrative. Satchwell stated he would plead guilty and that there would be no jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women. Richard Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gardai told Richard Satchwell his description of wife's death was 'physical impossibility', trial hears. 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:
- October 12, 2023 Incident
- October 13 Other
- March 24 2017 Other
- March 20, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 24, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 10 2023 Incident
- March 19, 2017 Incident
- March 19 Other
- 2025-05-14 Publication
Why: "I'm going to prison, there will be no jury because I'm going to plead guilty," Mr Satchwell told gardai in interviews. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
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
- Central Criminal Court
- The Central Criminal Court
- Grattan Street
- Grattan Street
- Youghal
- brought him to Cobh Garda Station
- Cobh
Topics
Related court reports
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- A Casual Inquiry: The trial of Richard Satchwell
- Jury convict Richard Satchwell of murder
- Richard Satchwell trial jury to continue deliberations for fourth day
- Jury in Richard Satchwell trial to deliberate for third day
- Jury in Richard Satchwell trial to continue considering verdict
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