Richard Satchwell pleads not guilty to murder of his wife Tina in Cork

Mr Satchwell, 58, is charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell in Youghal, Co Cork, on March 20 2017

Richard Satchwell denies murdering his wife. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Richard Satchwell has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Tina, whose remains were found buried underneath the stairwell in their Cork home more than six years after she went missing.

Mr Satchwell stood, hands clasped behind his back, fingers twitching, as his indictment was read out.

He is charged that he murdered Tina Satchwell at their home on 3 Grattan St, Youghal, between March 19 and March 20, both dates inclusive.

“Not guilty,” Mr Satchwell replied when the charge was read out.

Judge Kerida Naidoo told the jury of seven women and five men that the trial would last up to six weeks and should conclude by June, 5.

“This is a case that involves an allegation of murder in Cork,” Judge Naidoo said.

Significant media coverage had already surrounded the case, which he said there was nothing wrong with.

But he warned the jury if they had heard anything about the case that would create a difficulty in dealing with it objectively to inform him.

Almost 100 witnesses are due to be called for the trial, including many gardaí, ballistics experts, forensics experts, medical experts, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster, and family of Ms Satchwell.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott will hear the case which is to begin on Tuesday in the Central Criminal Court sitting in Dublin.

Barrister Brendan Grehan, SC, will defend Mr Satchwell, assisted by Paula McCarthy, BL, and instructed by solicitor Eddie Burke. 

Geraldine Small SC will lead the prosecution for the State with Imelda Kelly BL.

Clean shaven, hair closely cropped and dressed in a light blue check shirt and grey trousers, Mr Satchwell sat with his arms crossed while the jury was empanelled.

Mrs Satchwell, 45, had been missing since 2017.

Her remains were found wrapped in plastic and buried beneath a concrete floor under a stairwell in the home she had shared with her husband on Grattan St in Youghal on October 11, 2023.

Dental records were used by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster to confirm the body was that of Mrs Satchwell.