'TINA NEVER LEFT HER HOME ALIVE'

A FORENSIC archaeologist told gardai before Tina Satchwell was found that she was most likely killed and buried within her own home, a court heard.

- PAUL HEALY

The evidence came on the eighth day of the trial of Richard Satchwell, 58, who denies the alleged March 2017 murder of his wife Tina, 45, at their home in Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork.

Yesterday his trial before Dublin's Central Criminal Court heard evidence from Dr Niamh McCullagh, an experienced forensic archeologist who was among the first to discover the remains of Ms Satchwell under the stairwell of the home, wrapped in black plastic sheeting - after a hand was exposed.

Earlier in the day gardai from the Technical Bureau, who were involved in the search, told the trial how Tina's remains were discovered wrapped in black plastic sheeting in a 64cm “very deep” and “clandestine” grave after building contractors dug into concrete at officers' direction.

The court also heard how Ms Satchwell's body was discovered wearing a dressing gown and had a 'Playboy'-like purse with her public service card in her name in the left pocket.

It further heard how samples of glass were removed from her head and arm.

The trial heard Dr McCullagh had been tasked by then Detective Inspector Annmarie Twomey to review the evidence in the case in September 2022.

Dr McCullagh, who the court heard has a PHD in the study of homicides in Ireland where the victim's remains have been concealed, advised investigating gardai of three scenarios she felt were the most likely, based on the evidence they had gathered.

She told the court under cross-examination from Brendan Grehan SC that the number one hypothesis she had come to was “Tina Satchwell was killed in her home address and concealed in her home address.”

BUCKET