Tina Satchwell: Locals speak as remains found in Youghal home
Flowers left at the scene on Grattan Street, Youghal, in honour of Tina Satchwell. Picture: Larry Cummins
A mixture of relief and sadness hung over Youghal on Thursday following the discovery of what are believed to be human remains at the home of missing Cork woman Tina Satchwell.
Crowds of up to 50 people had congregated at Ms Satchwell's home on Grattan St near the town centre since gardaí cordoned it off and began searching the residence on Tuesday.
Gardaí on Thursday said they had discovered what are believed to be human remains at the house.
Ms Satchwell was reported as missing from her home in March 2017 and despite numerous appeals for public information about her whereabouts, she has not been seen since then. 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.
Locals in Youghal have been paying tribute to Ms Satchwell, and noting in particular her love for her pets.
Radio presenter Denise Fitzgerald recalled sometimes encountering Ms Satchwell as both women walked their dogs.
“She was a friendly woman and quite happy to stop for a short chat,” Denise said.
"Our dogs were a common denominator. It's just appalling that someone is dead who shouldn’t be dead. And we don’t know why."
Many locals felt sympathy with Ms Satchwell's family. It is understood that Ms Satchwell's family is devastated by the news of the discovery of the remains.
Mother of one Mary Cowman said her “heart goes out” to them.
Former HSE worker Ger Hogan said “a big cloud was hanging over the town” for years, while Youghal tourist office manager Sandra McLellan, echoing sympathy for Ms Satchwell’s family, did not feel the situation would “have any major impact on the town from a tourism perspective”.
Kay Curtin said she was “glad for the family’s sake”, adding that “everyone is upset and glad at the same time”, while publican Paul Dempsey of Bertie’s Bar said Ms Satchwell’s disappearance had been a regular topic of conversation in the bar.
Meanwhile, gardaí said an investigation team based in Midleton Garda Station continues to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the murder of Ms Satchwell.
A Garda technical examination at her residence is continuing and a second search at a location between Youghal and Killeagh, Co Cork, has been completed.
Superintendent Adrian Gamble expressed sympathy for her family and urged anyone with information to come forward.
"The family of Tina Satchwell 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," he said.
"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."
He said a man in his 50s had been arrested in relation to the case on Thursday. He is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in Co Cork.
