Hundreds of people are estimated to have attended an emotional and heartfelt vigil in Fermoy, Co. Cork held for Tina Satchwell, whose husband has been charged with her murder.
Members of Ms Satchwell’s family, including her sister, Florence Dingivan, and her niece, Sarah Lennon, attended the vigil yesterday evening at 6pm, where she was remembered as a a woman who would “put a smile on anyone’s face”.
One of the organisers of the solidarity vigil, Shirley Keegan, read aloud a message from Ms Satchwell’s family who were there to remember their sister and aunt.
“Tina would put a smile on anyone’s face. She had a very bubbly personality and was a very sociable person. She was always out and about with her babies [dogs] Ruby and Heidi. She loved her fashion and she always dressed so well,” those gathered heard.
“There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts right now. Tina, if we knew the last time that we met was going to be our last, we would have hugged you extra tight … we will cherish the moments and all the great memories we spent with you.”
A large photograph of Ms Satchwell was placed on the bandstand, and locals brought candles and flowers for the vigil.
Nearly 500 people gathered at a town park in Fermoy, Co Cork, to remember murder victim Tina Satchwell.
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 16, 2023
Tina Satchwell would ‘put a smile on anyone’s face’, Fermoy vigil told https://t.co/YYxeaOLeLt
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) October 16, 2023
Members of Tina Satchwell’s family attended a vigil to remember the life of the 45-year-old in the town park in Fermoy this evening.
Local woman Shirley Keegan read out a message from Tina’s family. pic.twitter.com/IifH3NCPcn
— RedFM News (@RedFMNews) October 16, 2023
Tina’s niece, Sarah Lennon, had a message for aunt that was also read by Ms Keegan. “Fly high, our angel, you will be in our hearts forever – we love you, Tina, you are at peace now and until we meet again, give Nanny a big hug from me.”
A poem by David Harkins, ‘She is Gone’, was then read, beginning with the words : “You can shed tears that she is gone, Or you can smile because she has lived. ”
This was followed by a minute’s silence.
‘Tina always had a smile for everybody': Fermoy community remembers Tina Satchwell at vigil https://t.co/h9W6g1sQ6i
— EchoLive.ie (@echolivecork) October 16, 2023
Last week, the missing persons inquiry into the disappearance of Tina Satchwell, who has not been seen in 6 years, was upped to a full murder investigation. On Thursday, remains were discovered wrapped in plastic behind a wall under a stairway at her former home in Youghal, and were confirmed to be those of Ms Satchwell’s.
Her husband, Richard Satchwell, has been charged with her murder.