'No sentence could ever be enough for monster that took Tina from us'

Family say they can't forgive the sick lies killer told about her

- PAUL HEALY

WIFE-KILLER Richard Satchwell has been sentenced to life in prison - as a sister of his victim labelled him "a monster."

Judge Paul McDermott offered his condolences to the family of the late Tina Dingivan, 45, as he jailed her husband Satchwell, 58, for the mandatory term of life in prison.

The sentence comes after a jury last week convicted Satchwell of the murder of his wife - who he callously buried beneath the stairs of their home in Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork in March 2017, then claiming she was missing for over six and a half years.

Satchwell's 14 previous convictions include larceny from a shop, theft and taking a cheque book containing 14 cheques from an employer.

Speaking as the sentence was handed down, Brendan Grehan SC, defending Satchwell, said his client intends to appeal the conviction and that he "insists he never intended to kill Tina".

He also said that Satchwell wanted to state that despite what was said during the trial, "Tina was a lovely person".

Speaking in powerful victim impact statements read out in court, Lorraine Howard, a sister of Tina, and Sarah Howard, her cousin, said they could never forgive Satchwell for what he had done - or the lies he had told about her.

Lorraine told the court that she and Tina were "inseparable growing up in Fermoy as kids".

"We did all the usual kids things, play, went to school, got into mischief but always had each other's backs," she told the court.

"From as long as I can remember Tina loved animals, there was always cats and dogs following around Tina. She hated seeing any animal neglected or in pain.

GENTLE