Tina Satchwell murder: Gardaí searching 'floors, walls and ceilings' of house

The scene near the house in Youghal where a search is been carried out by the Gardaí. Picture Dan Linehan

Clearing and digging gear has been delivered to the house where a man was yesterday arrested in connection with the murder of missing Tina Satchwell.

The equipment includes a wood chipper, a small digger, a mechanised jackhammer on caterpillar tracks, and a small mechanised dumper machine.

The workmen have also delivered a medium-sized skip and a portable toilet.

Spaces around the three-storey terrace house have also been cordoned off and gardaí have cleared a space in a builders yard opposite the house.

Digging equipment brought to help with the search of the house in Youghal, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

A number of detectives have also arrived and there is a strong garda presence around the site.

At least six forensics officers in white suits have entered the property, which was guarded overnight by uniformed officers.

When the arrested man arrived at his home in Youghal on Tuesday at around 4.15pm, he had just parked his vehicle when he was arrested by detectives who were waiting for him.

Shortly after he was led away, a square set of fencing — which has now extended across the front of the house to a side entrance that is covered by a sheet of corrugated iron — was erected around the front door of the terraced building, stretching out over the pavement and into a small section of the street.

That corrugated sheet was removed around 9.30am and detectives entered the laneway into the man’s garden. Bushes and trees can be seen between the man’s house and a next door neighbour.

It is also understood gardaí are searching the “floors, walls and ceilings” of the house.

Tina Satchwell, who was reported missing on March 20, 2017. File Picture. 

Tina's husband Richard Satchwell has previously claimed his wife could have left their house in Youghal in March 2017 with €26,000 because she was depressed and wanted to get away for a while.

He has also put forward the notion that she could have been escorted from their house along a route through the town where there are no CCTV cameras.

Mr Satchwell has also said he does not believe his wife could have killed herself.

Members of her family are understood to have visited Youghal last night and watched as developments unfolded.