‘He wouldn't have walked away' says ex-cold case cop in never too late info plea as Michael Gaine mystery in 5th week

The Irish Sun

25-04-2025

A FORMER cold case Gardai has shared his thoughts on the case of a missing Kerry farmer.
Michael Gaine has been
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Michael was last seen on Thursday March 20, 2025 in his local Centra store
Credit: Garda Press Office Handout
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Searches included over 250 volunteers at the start and the army are now involved
Credit: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
The 56-year-old was
on Thursday March 20, 2025 before 10am in his local Centra store
.
The
Despite weeks of
READ MORE IN MICHAEL GAINE
Now, an ex-cold case
Alan Bailey, a former detective garda sergeant who has worked on many murder and missing persons cases spoke to
He told how once Michael was reported missing, the Gardai didn't waste a second.
He explained: "I would say that the Gardai really hit the ground running, from what I can see from the outside... In this case, within days you've had major searches being organized, and not saying casual searches - full scale searches.
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"You had the army being brought in, you had specialist teams being brought in."
He noted that isn't always the case immediately.
Ireland's Longest Unsolved Missing Persons Cases
Bailey added: "You have to admire the Gardai for the way they responded."
But he acknowledged that so far, there sadly hasn't been any update - though the searches are continuing, to a scale that Bailey said he has never seen before.
The search so far has included over 250 volunteers in the first few days, multiple Gardai units, drones, helicopters, civil defence forces and other state and volunteer bodies.
He added: "It shows how seriously the Gardai viewed the circumstances of his disappearance."
And now, he is urging anyone with any information at all to come forward - not matter how small they believe it is.
INFO PLEA
He explained that people with information may feel that they would be judged because they didn't come forward with it on the first day, or even because of the source - but stressed that you won't be judged.
But he added: "We learned very early in Operation Trace never to judge the information by its source... Don't question the source, question the information and then go back to the source.
"You have all sorts of people contacting you with all sorts of theories - don't dismiss them."
Speaking about the day Michael disappeared, Bailey explained that for Michael it was likely just a normal day where he put the phone on the dashboard to walk the
'YOU JUST DON'T KNOW'
Heartbreakingly however, he noted that if Michael had his phone with him, there would be more information available to the Gardai.
He said: "Had he it with him, you'd now be using the triangulation method to find the phone and then to find Michael.
"It's just one of those unfortunate things, if he had it in his pocket it would be a great assist at this stage."
He added that on the other side, someone may have left the phone there on purpose so it couldn't be traced - noting "you just don't know."
Bailey told the host how Michael "wouldn't have walked away" from his life and his farm.
'WE STILL NEED HELP'
He said: "He wouldn't have just walked away, that's what makes it all the more suspicious. That is the reality of it."
Bailey urged the public to come forward with any information, saying: "It's so important that the appeal is left out there, that people don't forget.
"Keep it out foremost in your mind, and in the mind of people who knew Michael, that we still need help finding him."
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Michael Gaine has been missing for five weeks
Credit: Gardai Missing Persons
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The Army was brought in to help search for Michael in Co Kerry
Credit: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD