A garda search relating to the disappearance of Tina Satchwell has begun at a 40-acre woods, close to Castlemartyr.

The woods in Bridgetown, near the Castlemartyr Resort, has been identified by gardaí from 220 lines of inquiry.

Superintendent Colm Noonan, who is leading the investigation, said he did not know how long the search of the woods would last.

“It is going to be a number of weeks. I don’t know if it will be two weeks or slightly shorter or longer,” he said.

Supt Noonan said the information that has led gardaí to the woods has been assessed and deemed worthy of investigation.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, we have looked at over 220 lines of inquiry and, as you can imagine, there has been quite an amount of planning and assessment of our rationale for commencing this search,” he said.

“As part of the investigation into the disappearance of Tina Satchwell, our team are satisfied it is necessary to conduct this search and that is why we are going into that location.

“I am confident that, as part of the extensive investigation, the current information, which we have in our possession, is credible and sufficient to justify going in to conduct this search.”

Supt Noonan said he could not predict what they would find.

“I am confident there is an absolute requirement to conduct the search. I can’t predict beyond that. I’m hoping I find evidence, in relation to, or connected to, the disappearance of Tina Satchwell. I won’t restrict myself to saying what we are in there looking for.”

The area has been cordoned off by gardaí since last Friday, March 2.

“We have had a full, 24-hour garda presence since Friday afternoon at the location. It had been hoped to start the search earlier but, with the weather and the transport restrictions that were placed upon us, we just weren’t able to commence,” Superintendent Noonan added.

Supt Noonan added: “There is going to be a complete search of that area, led by the Cork North Garda Divisional Search Team. It is going to be assisted by specialist search services from day one. We are going to have to wait and see what the search identifies.”

Over the next few days and weeks, Supt Noonan said people could expect to see a great deal of garda activity in the area.

“There are huge amount of resources being invested in this, so you can expect to see full garda teams there every day and full assistance given by the specialist people.

“There will be searching going on from early morning to late evening, as long as light and weather allows.”

“There will be 50-60 people every day. We have a team, including garda personnel and specialist people and gardaí maintaining the cordon.

“We are going to have our national support groups, the Technical Bureau is going to be present, the garda water unit is going to be present,” he added.

Supt Noonan also issued an appeal to the public.

“Tina went missing nearly a year ago in March, from her home in Youghal. I want to put out an appeal to any member of the public that has any information or anything that they think might be relevant or might be in their heads, in and around any activity in Mitchelswood, Bridgetown, Castlemartyr.”

Anyone with information can contact Midleton Garda Station on (021) 4621550.