A retired garda sergeant has told the Central Criminal Court that a “thorough, formal” search was conducted at the home of Richard and Tina Satchwell in June 2017, three months after Tina was reported missing.
Richard Satchwell, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife Tina in March 2017, is currently on trial. Her remains were discovered beneath a floor in the couple’s sitting room in October 2023—more than six years after her disappearance.
Retired Sergeant John Sharkey gave evidence on Tuesday, recalling the early stages of the investigation. He said gardaí first became suspicious that “something untoward” may have happened in May 2017 after no signs of Ms Satchwell could be found despite ongoing monitoring and appeals for information.
Mr Satchwell initially told gardaí on 24 March 2017 that his wife had left their home in Youghal, Co Cork, on 20 March, taking €26,000 in cash with her. On 11 May, nearly two months later, he formally reported her missing.
Following the report, the investigation was escalated, with door-to-door inquiries and media appeals. However, Mr Sharkey told the court these efforts yielded no useful information.
Concern among investigators continued to grow, and by early June, Mr Sharkey said he began to suspect that a criminal act might have taken place. Gardaí secured a search warrant and entered the Satchwell home on 7 June 2017, accompanied by a locksmith as Mr Satchwell was not present at the time.
Under questioning from defence counsel Brendan Grehan, Mr Sharkey confirmed that the search was extensive, involving around ten gardaí and lasting approximately 12 hours. He said although he was present throughout, he did not take part directly in the search itself.
The court heard that full resources typically deployed in a serious crime investigation were brought to bear during the operation, which failed at the time to uncover any trace of Ms Satchwell.
The trial continues, with further evidence expected in the coming days regarding the circumstances of Ms Satchwell’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body more than six years later.
