logo
Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

The Minister for Justice has raised concern with the Garda Commissioner over how long it took to find the body of murder victim Tina Satchwell.
Jim O'Callaghan also said it would be preferable if An Garda Siochana had its own cadaver dog to help find human remains.
He said there is currently just one cadaver dog on the island of Ireland which belongs to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
It was announced last week that both the investigation into the murder of Mrs Satchwell, and of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine, will be reviewed.
A report is to be compiled and given to Mr O'Callaghan on Mrs Satchwell's disappearance while the case of Mr Gaine is undergoing a peer review.
Speaking on RTE Radio One's This Week programme, Mr O'Callaghan said he had his quarterly meeting with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week and brought up the murder of Mrs Satchwell.
"I think from the outset it has to be said that gardai deserve to be commended for getting justice in this case," he said.
"The person responsible for her murder, Richard Satchwell, is now serving a life sentence.
"However I did raise with the commissioner concern about the fact it had taken a considerable period of time to find her body and he said he is going to prepare a report on that."
It took six years before Mrs Satchwell's body was found.
Mr O'Callaghan pointed out there are "very devious people out there who go to very great lengths to hide their crimes".
"That was the case with Richard Satchwell, and it is also the case with the person responsible for the murder of Mike Gaine who hasn't yet been apprehended," he said.
Asked whether a cadaver dog should have been brought into the Satchwell home in 2017 during the investigation, Mr O'Callaghan said "probably, it should have happened".
He said he also spoke to Mr Harris about the effectiveness of cadaver dogs.
"They're a very specialised dog in terms of trying to train them, there is one on the island of Ireland, the PSNI has one," he said.
"That dog is sought by many police forces in Britain as well. We got the use of the dog here and he was of much assistance.
"It obviously would be preferable if we had a cadaver dog. They have a very limited work life, cadaver dogs, they're only operational for a period of about three years, they have to go through a very difficult training process.
"It would be preferable if the cadaver dog available on the island had been used earlier."
Get the latest crime and court stories straight to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man, 30s, dies in single-vehicle crash as stretch of road shut for technical exam amid Garda witness appeal
Man, 30s, dies in single-vehicle crash as stretch of road shut for technical exam amid Garda witness appeal

The Irish Sun

time5 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Man, 30s, dies in single-vehicle crash as stretch of road shut for technical exam amid Garda witness appeal

COLLISION PROBE Man, 30s, dies in single-vehicle crash as stretch of road shut for technical exam amid Garda witness appeal A MAN in his 30s has died following a single-vehicle crash in Offaly shortly before midnight last night. The collision occurred at Ballina Cross, Annaharvey, Tullamore, Co Offaly late yesterday. Advertisement The man was the only occupant of the car and no other injuries have been reported. The man's body has been brought to the Mortuary in the Midlands Regional Hospital. Following the crash Gardai have shut a stretch of the road for technical examination. The R420 between Geashill and Cloncollig Roundabout, Tullamore is closed this morning. Advertisement Local diversions are in place. Gardai are now asking anyone with information to come forward. In a statement a spokesperson said: "Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a single-vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred at Ballina Cross, Annaharvey, Tullamore, Co. Offaly shortly before midnight on Monday 4th of August 2025. "The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a man aged in his 30s, was fatally injured. Advertisement "No other injuries were reported. "The body of the man was removed to the Mortuary in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore for a post-mortem examination to take place. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads "The R420 between Geashill and Cloncollig Roundabout, Tullamore, has been closed for a technical examination to be carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. "Local diversions are in place." Advertisement The spokesperson added: "Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between around 11:40pm and midnight are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station." 1 Gardai have appealed for witnesses Credit: Alamy stock photo

Male cyclist, 19, dies in hospital over a week after being struck by car in Dublin as Gardai issue new witness appeal
Male cyclist, 19, dies in hospital over a week after being struck by car in Dublin as Gardai issue new witness appeal

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Male cyclist, 19, dies in hospital over a week after being struck by car in Dublin as Gardai issue new witness appeal

He was the only person injured FATAL CRASH Male cyclist, 19, dies in hospital over a week after being struck by car in Dublin as Gardai issue new witness appeal A TEENAGE cyclist injured after being hit by a car in Dublin last month has passed away in hospital. The man, 19, was struck by a car at the R113 the Fonthill Road South, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on July 27. Advertisement Gardai rushed to the scene of the collision shortly after 11.40pm. The teenager was rushed to Beaumount Hospital with serious injuries, however Gardai have confirmed he was pronounced dead yesterday. He was the only person injured in the collision, which saw the road shut for some time. In a statement this morning a spokesperson said: "The 19-year-old male cyclist injured in the collision was pronounced deceased at Beaumont Hospital on the 4th of August 2025. Advertisement "The Coroner has been notified and post-mortem examination will be carried out." And the spokesperson confirmed Gardai are continuing to seek witnesses following the crash. The are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have footage. The Garda spokesperson said: "Investigating Gardai continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward. Advertisement "Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Gardai also appealed for witnesses immediately following the crash in July. At the time they said: "Gardai in Clondalkin are appealing for witnesses following a serious injury road traffic collision involving a car and a cyclist on Sunday, 27th July 2025. Advertisement "Shortly after 11:40pm, Gardai were alerted after a cyclist was struck by a car at the R113, Fonthill Road South, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. "The cyclist, an adult male in his late teens, is in Beaumont Hospital in a critical condition. "No other injuries were reported. "The road is closed for an examination of the scene to be carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Advertisement "Local traffic diversions are in place on Fonthill Road South, between the junctions with Cherrywood Avenue and St. John's Road. "Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward."

Cops say death of woman (30s) found beside burning car not believed to be suspicious
Cops say death of woman (30s) found beside burning car not believed to be suspicious

Sunday World

time2 hours ago

  • Sunday World

Cops say death of woman (30s) found beside burning car not believed to be suspicious

The remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh on Saturday On Saturday afternoon the fire service dealt with a car fire and discovered the body of a woman Police have said the death of a woman in her 30s found beside a burning car in Co Tyrone is not 'believed to be suspicious.' The remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh on Saturday. Independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the 'tranquil' rural community has been left 'horrified and distressed' following the incident. A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "The person who died following a vehicle fire outside Omagh on Saturday afternoon, 2nd August, has been confirmed as a female in her 30s. 'A post-mortem has concluded and family has been informed. At this stage, her death is not believed to be suspicious.' Ms Deehan said: "There is very distressing news from Omagh over the weekend and sadly appears to be that a woman has lost her life in a fire, which involved a car in the Rylagh Road. "As this tragedy unfolds, our main thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this time, in lieu of the horrific circumstances of this woman's death. "They are in our thoughts and prayers. "Our community is deeply shocked, that this has happened in a tranquil rural area. "We don't know the full detail surrounding the case. Police are confident they are dealing with arson. "I hope that we will have answers soon for the family in particular, and the community who are horrified and distressed. "It is a very tragic situation, and police are appealing to the public for any information.' PSNI officers and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday, where they found a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 on fire. The blaze was extinguished by the fire service. In an earlier statement the PSNI said it was working to ascertain how the victim came to be next to the burning car. 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire,' said Detective Inspector Keon. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. 'We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle.' On Saturday afternoon the fire service dealt with a car fire and discovered the body of a woman News in 90 Seconds - Monday, August 4th

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store