A WOMAN whose body was found under a stairwell in a house has been positively identified as missing woman Tina Satchwell, who disappeared over six years ago.
The body was discovered by gardai on Wednesday night during an extensive search of the house and its garden on Grattan Street in Youghal, Cork, where Tina had been living with her husband Richard for almost two years.
It’s understood the body, which was taken from the under stairs space which originally housed a downstairs toilet, was identified by experts using dental records.
DNA samples have also been taken but gardai are fully confident that it was Tina’s body they recovered.
Tina’s husband Richard was first arrested on Tuesday evening as he returned home from work in his refrigerated van.
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He was held for questioning for 24 hours in Cobh Garda Station and was released without charge on Wednesday.
As soon as he was arrested the home he shared with Tina was declared a crime scene and gardai moved in with a variety of equipment and tools including Kango hammers, pickaxes and other ground breaking tools.
The following day mini diggers and garden clearing equipment arrived at the terraced house.
The major breakthrough happened on Wednesday evening when cadaver dog Fern got a scent inside the house in the vicinity of the stairs.
Gardai moved into the space breaking up the concrete floor and uncovering an area covered with earth.
They proceeded with extreme caution in removing the earth and a few feet down they discovered what they surmised to be a body covered in plastic.
The Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster and a forensic Anthropologist arrived the following morning to carry out their own inspection of the body location.
According to sources, the area under the stairs was originally a downstairs toilet and the toilet was removed, a space a few metres deep dug and Tina’s body was hidden in the hole.
The area was then blocked up with concrete blocks and plastered to make it look like part of the house.
The investigation team has received high praise for the manner in which they micro examined all the files that had compiled in relation to the disappearance of the 45-year-old.
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That work led to discrepancies being discovered that raised suspicions and eventually good and intense Garda work led to the recovery of Tina this week.
Richard Satchwell stayed overnight in Youghal following his release from Garda custody and he was rearrested again on Thursday.
He was taken to an East Cork Garda Station where he has been questioned in accordance with the protocols of the Criminal Justice Act.
Local priest Fr Bill Bermingham arrived at the house on Grattan Street where he prayed the Prayers for the Dead before the remains were taken to a waiting hearse and conveyed to the morgue in Cork University Hospital.
Yesterday, Supt Adrian Gamble of Midleton Garda Station speaking to the media confirmed that on Wednesday evening the Garda Technical Bureau team discovered what are believed to be human remains in the house on Grattan Street.
He said: "The family of Tina Satchwell continue to be updated on the progress of this investigation.
"A family Liaison officer has been appointed.
"At this time my thoughts and the thoughts of the investigation team are firmly and continue to be with them at this difficult time."
Supt Gamble said: "Again I appeal to any person who may have any information on the murder of Tina Satchwell no matter how insignificant you think that may be to contact the investigation team here at Midleton on 021-4621550, the Grda confidential line on 1800-666111 or any Garda Station."
