'There are no words to describe the pain': Hundreds attend vigil for Tina Satchwell

16th October 2023; Relatives at the candle light vigil for Tina Satchwell at the Town park in Fermoy. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

The family of Tina Satchwell says there are no words to describe their pain following the discovery of her remains.

Tina’s body was found on Wednesday evening, under the floor of a stairwell in a house on Grattan Street in Youghal.

She had lived in the east Cork town for two years before her disappearance, having moved there with her husband from Fermoy. The then 45-year-old was reported missing on March 24, 2017.

Members of her family, including siblings and other close relatives, attended a vigil in her memory in the town park in her native Fermoy on Monday evening. Up to 500 people came to the event, with organisers saying it was the right place to hold the vigil given that she had regularly walked her dogs in the park before moving to Youghal.

Tina Satchwell

In a statement read tonight on their behalf at a vigil in her native Fermoy, Tina’s family said: “There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts right now. Tina, if we knew the last time we met was going to be our last time, we would have hugged you extra tight.” 

The family said that Tina would always put a smile on anyone’s face.

They added: “She had a very bubbly personality and was a very sociable person. She was always out and about with her babies Ruby and Heidi. She loved her fashion. She was always dressed so well.” 

Her family said they will cherish the moments they spent with her and the great memories they have of her.

They continued: “Fly high our angel, you will be in our hearts forever. We love you, Tina, you are at peace now until we meet again.” 

Former neighbour Shirley Keegan led the vigil, which included music and a reflection.

Tina’s remains were removed from the Youghal property on Thursday afternoon to Cork University Hospital, where a positive identification was made on Friday with dental records from a Fermoy dental practice which Tina attended. 

A shed at a location between Killeagh and Youghal was also searched in recent days as part of the garda probe.

Despite numerous public appeals, and searches including in Mitchel’s Wood in Castlemartyr in March 2018, no sightings of the missing woman were reported.

More than 400 lines of inquiry were pursued by investigating gardaí over the last six and a half years, with more than 170 witness statements taken.

The case has been revisited in recent months, leading to the discovery of her body on Wednesday.

Her husband Richard Satchwell has been charged with her murder.

He appeared before a special sitting of Cashel District Court on Saturday and is due to appear before Clonmel District Court on Tuesday.