Judge tells jury in Richard Satchwell  trial to approach case with 'an open and independent mind'

Mr Justice McDermott will continue his charge to the 12 jurors this afternoon.
Judge tells jury in Richard Satchwell  trial to approach case with 'an open and independent mind'

Richard Satchwell has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell - nee Dingivan - at their home address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive.

The presiding judge in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who is accused of murdering his wife before burying her beneath their Cork home, has told the jury that they must approach the case with "an open and independent mind", despite aspects that are "unseemly" and "perhaps shocking".

Presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, has begun charging the jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Mr Satchwell (58), who has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell - nee Dingivan - at their home address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive.

The trial has heard that on March 24, 2017, Mr Satchwell told gardaí that his wife Tina had left their home four days earlier but that he had no concerns over her welfare, feeling she had left due to a deterioration in their relationship.

Reported

The accused formally reported Ms Satchwell missing the following May but her body was not discovered for over six years, when gardaí in October 2023 conducting "an invasive search" of the Satchwell home found her decomposed remains in a grave that had been dug almost one metre deep underneath the stairs.

When re-arrested on suspicion of Tina's murder after her body was removed from their Cork home, Mr Satchwell told gardaí that his wife "flew" at him with a chisel, that he fell backwards against the floor, and described her death after he said he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe at her neck.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster, has told the trial that Tina's cause of death cannot be determined due to the skeletal nature of her remains.

Dr Margot Bolster, Pathologist, pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after she gave evidence in the murder trial of Richard Satchwell. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie.
Dr Margot Bolster, Pathologist, pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after she gave evidence in the murder trial of Richard Satchwell. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie.

Commencing his charge to the jury after midday today, Mr Justice McDermott asked the jurors to approach the case with an open and independent mind and "without emotion and prejudice". 

"There are aspects of this case which are unseemly and perhaps shocking," he added.

Approach

The judge said that if the jurors found things to have aroused their indignation, feelings and emotions, they had to leave these outside the door of their jury room. He asked them to approach the case in a very careful and clinical way.

He said they must return a true verdict in accordance with the evidence and not with emotion, sympathy or empathy.

Mr Justice McDermott said the starting position was that Mr Satchwell is presumed to be innocent of the offence of murder and it was up to the prosecution to establish that he was guilty of the offence.

He explained that the standard of proof in the case was beyond a reasonable doubt, which is not a mathematical certainty but a very high standard; "the highest standard in the administration of justice".

The judge told the jurors that they knew Mr Satchwell had not given evidence in the case and the accused was under no obligation to do so. 

"In terms of determining the case it has no relevance as he has no obligation to prove anything".

Considering

When considering the evidence in the case, Mr Justice McDermott said the jury must take into account the evidence they have heard from witnesses, statements read into the record as well as the exhibits and "lengthy media interviews" shown to them. 

"You are confined to what you hear in the courtroom, nothing else is relevant to you".

Mr Justice McDermott will continue his charge to the 12 jurors this afternoon.

Closing speech

Last Friday in her closing speech, Gerardine Small SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury that Mr Satchwell's narrative of how his wife died after he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe was "absolutely farcical" and had "more holes in it than a block of Swiss cheese".

Prosecuting counsel, Gerardine Small
Prosecuting counsel, Gerardine Small

Ms Small submitted that the British truck driver had woven "a web of deceit" and continued his "fabricated narrative" over the years. Counsel said Mr Satchwell's objective from the very outset was "always to put everyone off the scent" and that this was done because he had murdered Tina.

In his closing address, defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the jurors that there was no doubt Mr Satchwell was guilty, but asked the jurors what exactly he was guilty of. 

Richard Satchwell's Senior council Brendan Grehan (left) and solicitor Eddie Burke outside Central Criminal Court in Dublin Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
Richard Satchwell's Senior council Brendan Grehan (left) and solicitor Eddie Burke outside Central Criminal Court in Dublin Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

He argued that although the accused had lied "to the people of Ireland", the lies do not make him a murderer or relieve the prosecution of the burden of proving the ingredients of murder.

more Courts articles

Peep Hole in the door to a Prison Cell 'I hope this is a wake-up call' says judge as Cork shoplifter is jailed
Third person charged with murder of father of four in Cork town  Third person charged with murder of father of four in Cork town 
Man in his 20s and juvenile charged with murder of father of four in Cork town  Man in his 20s and juvenile charged with murder of father of four in Cork town 

More in this section

The offices of the National Lottery in Abbey Street, Dublin, Ireland. 'The spuds nearly went flying out the window': Cork syndicate collect lotto cheque for over €164k
Peep Hole in the door to a Prison Cell 'I hope this is a wake-up call' says judge as Cork shoplifter is jailed
'Uncertain and worrying time': Concern at Fota as positive bird flu cases shut park 'Uncertain and worrying time': Concern at Fota as positive bird flu cases shut park

Sponsored Content

Every stone tells a story Every stone tells a story
Want to know what Budget 2026 means for you and your pocket? Use KPMG's Budget calculator Want to know what Budget 2026 means for you and your pocket? Use KPMG's Budget calculator
Absolute Property – Over a quarter century of property expertise Absolute Property – Over a quarter century of property expertise
Contact Us Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Add Echolive.ie to your home screen - easy access to Cork news, views, sport and more