Gardaí serve book of evidence on Richard Satchwell on charge of murdering his wife

The trial is set for the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin

Richard Satchwell (pictured) was charged in October of last year with the murder, contrary to common law, of Tina Satchwell on March 20, 2017, at a location in Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A book of evidence has been served on truck driver Richard Satchwell who has been sent forward for trial to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin charged with the murder of his wife Tina.

The 57-year-old was charged in October of last year with the murder, contrary to common law, of Tina Satchwell on March 20, 2017, at a location in Cork.

Mr Satchwell was charged after gardaí found the skeletal remains of Mrs Satchwell while excavating a concrete floor and walled-up area underneath the stairwell of her home in Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork. She was reported missing in March 2017.

On Tuesday at a sitting of Clonmel District Court in Co Tipperary, Sgt Tom O’Brien said that the book of evidence had been formally served on Mr Satchwell. Investigating garda Det. Garda David Kelleher said that he served the book of evidence on Mr Satchwell at 10.07am on Tuesday. 

Judge Brian O’Shea explained to Mr Satchwell that that Director of Public Prosecutions has consented that he be tried by indictment in front of a judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court. He remanded the British man in custody to appear before the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

Judge O’Shea administered the alibi warning and ordered the release of video copies of garda interviews with Mr Satchwell to the defence. Legal aid was assigned in the name of defence solicitor Eddie Burke. It was extended to cover both a junior and senior counsel.

Mr Satchwell was represented in court on Tuesday by solicitor Aidan Leahy who deputised for Mr Burke. Mr Leahy confirmed receipt of the case file. He said he had no applications to make.

Mr Satchwell was in the court for the short hearing. He was wearing a grey tracksuit top and pants and was not required to speak during the short hearing.

Two weeks ago Judge Brian O’Shea warned that the case was at risk of being struck out today unless the book of evidence was served on Mr Satchwell. He said that Mr Satchwell had been in custody for over five months.

Meanwhile, Mr Satchwell was previously denied bail at a High Court sitting at Cloverhill Court. Gardaí objected to bail saying that the accused was a flight risk. Refusing the application, Judge Siobhan Lankford said that Mr Satchwell faces "very serious charges, the most serious charges on the criminal canon."