However a 12-hour garda search of the Satchwells' home in June 2017 failed to locate the secret burial site of his wife Tina under the stairs. During the search operation from 7am to 7pm in 2017, the garda team photographed a shoddily built brick wall underneath the stairs. But they did not attempt to excavate it. They did not have the service of a cadaver dog on this occasion, which proved to be crucial in the uncovering of Tina's body.
Leo Varadkar has criticised the garda investigation into his leaking of a medical document and has questioned whether it was "revenge" for his role in the Maurice McCabe affair, which led to the exit of two garda commissioners. The former taoiseach says he still struggles to understand why so much time and money was spent on an "unnecessary investigation" and why no effort was made to speed it up "given my position".
Mr Harris, who is minister for foreign affairs and defence, has received threats before - including through social media and a phoned bomb threat. Protests have also been held outside his home, where his wife and children live. Asked about a fresh threat against Mr Harris's family, a spokeswoman said: "An Garda Siochana does not comment on named individuals. A Garda Siochana is currently investigating this matter."
Child is believed to have been three-and-a-half years old when he was last seen Detectives are speaking with a number of the missing boy's relatives to establish what happened to him Gardaí searching area of open land in Donabate, Co Dublin today The boy, presumed dead, would be seven years old now The child and family agency said it wished to be "open and transparent with the public" without impacting the ongoing garda investigation.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris acknowledges the need for lessons to be learned from the cases of Tina Satchwell and Mike Gaine, emphasizing the importance of procedural improvements.