Tina Satchwell: Man, 50s, arrested as Gardaí continue to investigate
Supt. Adrian Gamble speaking to the media outside Midleton garda station in the missing Tina Satchwell case. Picture; Eddie O'Hare
A man in his 50s has been arrested in Youghal following the discovery of human remains at Tina Satchwell's home
It is understood the man was arrested at a bus shelter across the road from the Walter Raleigh Hotel, which is about 200 yards from Youghal Garda Station.
It is believed the man has been taken to Cobh Garda Station for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. He can be held for 24 hours under that legislation.
On Thursday morning, gardaí called Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster to the Youghal property. The remains were found under the floor inside Ms Satchwell's home. A source said search teams excavated the floor with machinery and found the remains in the ground.
It is understood that Ms Satchwell's family is devastated by the news of the discovery.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, gardaí said an investigation team based in Midleton Garda Station continues to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the case.
A Garda technical examination at Ms Satchwell's home "is continuing and a second search at a location between Youghal and Killeagh, Co Cork has been completed," the statement added.
Superintendent Adrian Gamble said that "what are believed to be human remains" were discovered on Wednesday night. They have been removed to Cork University Hospital where they will be subject to further examination including DNA analysis.
DNA analysis which could identify the remains can be completed within 24 hours.
He added that Ms Satchwell's family "continue to be updated on the progress of this investigation by an appointed family liaison officer and my thoughts and the thoughts of the investigation team continue to be with them at this difficult time".
"Again, I appeal to any person who may have information on the murder of Tina Satchwell, no matter how insignificant you may think that information is, to contact the investigation team at Midleton Garda Station on (021) 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666111 or any Garda station."
Meanwhile, it is believed that forensic teams were working in shifts up until late last night at the house and began again earlier this morning.
Extra clearing and digging equipment was delivered to a laneway where detectives have been hacking through an overgrowth and chopping down trees and clearing a section of a laneway.
It is understood the section they cleared is about the length of the back garden of the house in which they're searching.
Ms Satchwell went missing in March 2017.
Despite numerous appeals for public information about her whereabouts, Ms Satchwell has not been seen since March 20, 2017. Up until last Tuesday, the case was a missing persons investigation.
However, new evidence appears to have prompted gardaí to raise the level of their investigation to that of a murder inquiry.
A man in his 50s who was arrested on Tuesday was released on Wednesday without charge.
