Michael Gaine murder suspect has nothing to say as gardai scrap chainsaw theory
Officers investigating the baffling killing of the popular Kenmare farmer in March have now moved away from the theory that a chainsaw was used to dismember his remains - as sources say investigators have found the high profile murder investigation to be "challenging."
It is understood detectives believe potentially multiple bladed weapons were used to cut up the remains of Mr Gaine - before he was dumped in a slurry tank on his land - and that the killer made efforts to cover their tracks.
It comes after officers had initially believed a chainsaw, which they seized from the scene, was used to dismember the remains - which were only discovered when some body parts got stuck in a machine as a family friend was spreading slurry on May 16.
Gardai had shown chief suspect Michael Kelley, who was arrested and released without charge, photos of the chainsaw - which at the time he dismissed. However now Mr Kelley, who is still residing in council accommodation in the heart of Tralee town, said he didn't want to talk about the new garda theory - saying he had put things to bed.
'No, I don't wanna comment on any of that. I'm not gonna get into any of that. I understand you have a job to do and God bless you, you can call me again if you want but I'm just gonna defer for the moment Ok?
'I think I've been putting everything to bed but call me again,' he added. Exclusive photo from April 2025 shows Michael Kelley on Michael Gaine's farm near Kenmare Co Kerry. (photo: Mick O'Neill)
Sources have also told this paper that the investigation into the murder of Mr Gaine has proven 'challenging' for investigators - especially in light of a review of the case so far that was ordered by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
The review was ordered after it appeared as though gardai initially missed the remains of Mr Gaine in the slurry tank - only to find them there several weeks later.
Sources say gardai were hopeful of finding breakthrough DNA evidence and a murder weapon - but the probe has not been easy - and has now gone on for almost five months without clear answers.
'They want to get this right,' a source said. 'Everything slowed down after the body find issue, and no one wants to make any mistakes.'
Speaking to this paper previously, Mr Kelley, who is a US citizen and former soldier, spoke of his disgust at being shown photos of the alleged chainsaw by gardai. 'The chainsaw thing is preposterous or they would have charged me. I mean Texas Chainsaw Massacre bulls**t? I mean please. Preposterous,' he said.
'They had colour glossy photos of the chainsaw. I said where the f*ck is the glossy photograph of anything having to do with Michael Gaine's body? I didn't see it. This is a little card game that they're playing. Where's your evidence? Where's the macabre photo? They don't have it,' he said. Michael Kelley is approached by reporter Paul Healy in Tralee in May 2025 (Image: Image: Mick O'Neill/Daily Mirror/Irish Daily Star.)
Kelley today says he's still 'working on' becoming an Irish citizen - having lived underground as an illegal citizen on Mr Gaine's land for several years. He remains the chief suspect in the murder of Mr Gaine - which he has repeatedly denied having any involvement with.
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Well regarded farmer and rally car enthusiast Mike Gaine vanished on March 20, with the last sighting of him being recorded on CCTV in a Centra in Kenmare - where he was seen purchasing phone credit.
His wife Janice Gaine declared him missing the following day after he failed to return home - and what followed was one of the largest searches ever undertaken. Over 200 volunteers got involved in a massive search of the land and surrounding areas - while the Garda helicopter, multiple officers, the Coast Guard, Civil Defence and members of the Defence Forces all chipped in.
Mr Gaine's dismembered remains were eventually discovered on the farm at Carrig East on Friday, May 16, when a slurry spreader jammed. Officers then went back and searched the tank which had already been looked at weeks prior - and found further remains.
On May 18 Michael Kelley was arrested and questioned by detectives before being released without charge the following day. By this stage he had been moved off the land, where he had been living, and was residing in council accommodation in Tralee.
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