Gardaí have been warned that they may face having the murder charge against Richard Satchwell struck out if they have not obtained directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the time of his next court appearance.
Judge Brian O’Shea said he would mark the charge against Mr Satchwell for the murder of his wife Tina pre-emptory against the state on February 13th if gardaí have not got DPP’s directions by then.
This means the case could be struck out at the next hearing date after February 13th unless the directions have been obtained. Mr Satchwell would be released and gardaí would have to rearrest and recharge him with the killing.
Judge O’Shea issued the pre-emptory warning at the end of Mr Satchwell’s sixth appearance in court over the murder charge at Clonmel District Court on Tuesday.
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The 57-year-old was charged on October 14th last with the murder of Ms Satchwell (45) at the home they shared at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork on March 20th, 2017.
Sgt Tom O’Brien confirmed to Judge O’Shea that the file was with the DPP but gardaí were still awaiting directions and were seeking a continuing remand in custody.
Aidan Leahy, deputising for Mr Satchwell’s solicitor Eddie Burke, said Mr Burke had been unable to confirm with Mr Satchwell before court if he would consent to a four week remand.
Judge O’Shea informed Mr Satchwell that he could remand him in custody for a fortnight without his consent and that he could only remand him for four weeks with his consent. Mr Satchwell told Judge O’Shea that he would consent to a four-week remand in the case.
Prior to Mr Satchwell’s last court appearance on January 2nd, Judge O’Shea had sought assurances from investigating gardaí that the file would be sent to the DPP by that date. He noted that such investigations can be complex but said Mr Satchwell had been in custody since October 14th and this amounted to some 11½ weeks by that stage.
Supt Adrian Gamble said the file involved the inclusion of some reports outside the control of An Garda Síochána and this was why it had taken so long to finalise.
Ms Satchwell was reported missing to gardaí by Mr Satchwell on March 24th, 2017, but despite an extensive search no trace of her was found over the intervening 6½ years. Her remains were found buried in her home on October 11th last by gardaí after the investigation was upgraded from a missing person case to a murder inquiry.
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