Mike Gaine search: Rally drivers in special campaign to find missing farmer
Missing Kerry farmer Mike Gaine to be honored at Rally of the Lakes as search continues
Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine who has been missing for five weeks. The community are baffled by his disappearance.
A special plea will be made at this weekend's Rally of the Lakes to help bring missing Kerry farmer Mike Gaine home.
The 56-year old has now been missing almost 40 days since Friday, March 20 and despite an almost six-week garda investigation there has been no lead into what happened to him.
Mike was a great supporter of motorsport in Kerry, and a former competitor, and this weekend his friends in rallying circles have joined the ongoing search for the farmer with their own special plea.
All rally cars competing in this weekend's Rally of the Lakes will carry special stickers in support of the search for missing Kenmare man Michael Gaine.
Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine who has been missing for five weeks. The community are baffled by his disappearance.
'Things like this don't happen around here. It's completely out of character for Mike to just disappear'- Friends of Mike Gaine baffled by his disappearance
The stickers read: 'Mike Gaine - Help bring him back - One of our own – Rally of the Lakes 2025'.
Friend and rally driver Thomas Randles said this week this was something they wanted to do to help Mike.
"I know Mike since he was a teenager I drew silage with him and he worked in the quarry with me. He had a fierce interest in rallying and he would go to watch stages a lot.'
"Every time we do the Molls Gap stage we pass his land and when people are watching it they are standing on his land and he never objected to it.'
'This year as we pass Molls Gap we will beep in honour of him'.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Michael was a familiar sight on the stages behind the wheel of his Ford Escort Mk2 and since then interest has continued with Mike regularly attending events.
The stickers were handed out in each rally pack and the cars will have Mike's picture on them with their plea and it is hoped that the latest effort to help find Mike will bring more information to light.
"We would just like his disappearance to come to a conclusion. This was his sport and we wanted to do this for him,' said Thomas.
The last official sighting of Mike Gaine is buying phone credit in his local Central Shop on March 20. He was officially reported missing on Friday, March 21.
He left the shop in his bronze-coloured Toyota RAV 4, with the registration 152KY366. The car was found in his farm yard just off the N71 at Carraig East, Kenmare along with his phone and wallet.
Since then – almost six weeks ago – gardaí have led an investigation into his disappearance but despite one of the most extensive searches ever carried out in Kerry his disappearance remains a mystery.
Gardaí have described the case as 'unique and challenging'.
Gardaí are examining all options, and although foul play has not been ruled out, there is no evidence of any crime.
The Defence Forces has now spent four weeks searching the 1,000-acre farm, but nothing of any significance has been found.
Last week Defence Forces personnel from 12th Infantry Battalion and an Engineer Specialist Search Team (ESST) from 1 Brigade Engineer Group continued their search of Mr Gaine's farm in Kenmare which spans more than 1,000 acres of difficult terrain.
In the past six weeks An Garda Síochána has been helped by the Civil Defence (Kerry and Cork), Irish Coast Guard Units (Glenderry and Iveragh), Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team, Kerry Fire Service and 200 civilian volunteers to help search for Mike but to no avail.
To date An Garda Síochána has undertaken nearly 230 formal jobs/inquiries, taken nearly 100 witness statements and recovered about 1,500 hours of CCTV/dash-cam footage.
In their latest appeal Gardaí reached out to cycling clubs in Kerry to see if any of their members were in the vicinity of the farm on March 20.
However, there is still no conclusion to what has become one of the county's and country's most prominent missing cases.
Mr Gaine is described as being about 5ft 10in, with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.
When last seen, he was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone with information to contact Killarney garda station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 or any garda station
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Sunday World
2 days ago
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'As we all know, Michael was generous. Incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time and any place.' Murdered Kerry farmer Michael Gaine has been remembered as a loving relative and proud Co Kerry man at his funeral mass. The town of Kenmare was rocked last month when following his disappearance, human remains found on his land were confirmed to be his. Mourners packed Holy Cross Church in the town on Saturday morning to pay their final respects to the 56-year-old and support his family. His remains were brought into the church in a coffin topped with sheep's wool, to make his many years as a sheep farmer. Speaking on behalf of Michae's family ahead of the funeral service, Mr Gaine's cousin, Eoghan Clarke, remembered him as a 'proud Kerry man and an even prouder Kenmare man'. A memorial photograph of Michael Gaine. Photo: Mark Condren. News in 90 Seconds - 7th June He said he will be missed terribly. Mr Clarke said his cousin was known for his incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle. He recalled his passion for rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays and music. 'As we all know, Michael was generous. Incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time and any place,' he said. 'Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself. 'He loved life, he always made the most of it and he truly lived every single moment. Whether you met him during lambing or while on a trip away to a car show or rally event, he always had the iconic twinkle in his eye – the 'I'm delighted to see you', 'I'm in great form', 'let's go and enjoy ourselves' glint in his eye.' He also said that Mr Gaine's wife Janice and sisters knew his soft caring side. 'Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong,' he said. 'We will all miss Michael terribly. I know I'll miss our phone calls the most, as well as that happy feeling that Michael gave you when you were with him. 'He was always the glue that held the Rally of the Lakes weekend together and I will always look back very fondly on our adventures to the best spectating spots in Kerry.' Last month, a man aged in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of Mr Gaine's murder. He was held for questioning for one day before being released without charge from Killarney garda station.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Michael Gaine remembered as a 'caring and affectionate' as he's laid to rest
Michael Gaine was remembered as a loving relative and proud Kerry man as he was laid to rest this week. Mourners gathered in their droves at Holy Cross Church in Kenmare on Saturday to pay their respects to the farmer and to support his family. Mr Gaine's remains were discovered late last month as slurry spreading was being undertaken on his land, leading to a murder investigation. Michael Gaine was remembered as a loving relative and proud Kerry man as he was laid to rest this week. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images Mr Gaine, 56, was last seen on March 20 when he purchased phone credit in the local Centra shop in Kenmare. His disappearance prompted an extensive search, and his remains were found weeks later on his farm. His remains were brought into the church in a wood box topped with sheep's wool, with Mr Gaine's cousin Eoghan Clarke remembering him as a 'proud Kerry man and an even prouder Kenmare man.' Mourners gathered in their droves at Holy Cross Church in Kenmare on Saturday (June 7) to pay their respects to the murdered farmer and to support his family. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images Mr Clarke spoke of how his cousin was known for his incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle. He also spoke of his passion for rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays and music. 'As we all know, Michael was generous. Incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time and any place,' he added. 'Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself. Mr Gaine, 56, was last seen on March 20 when he purchased phone credit in the local Centra shop in Kenmare. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images 'He loved life, he always made the most of it and he truly lived every single moment. Whether you met him during lambing or while on a trip away to a car show or rally event, he always had the iconic twinkle in his eye – the 'I'm delighted to see you', 'I'm in great form', 'let's go and enjoy ourselves' glint in his eye.' While Michael was remembered as a salt of the earth man, Mr Clarke gave mourners an insight into his softer side. 'Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong,' he said. Mr Clarke spoke of how his cousin was known for his incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle. He also spoke of his passion for rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays and music. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images 'We will all miss Michael terribly. I know I'll miss our phone calls the most, as well as that happy feeling that Michael gave you when you were with him. 'He was always the glue that held the Rally of the Lakes weekend together and I will always look back very fondly on our adventures to the best spectating spots in Kerry.' He also spoke of Michael's love for his wife Janice, and how they truly put each other first in life. Mr Gaine, 56, was last seen on March 20 when he purchased phone credit in the local Centra shop in Kenmare. Pic: 'It always struck me how loving Michael was with Janice and how they both spent not just time but quality time together. They enjoyed one another's company in every scenario, from simple trips to the cinema in Killarney, visits to new restaurants to try new cuisine, walks in the National Park, and adventurous holidays abroad – where inevitably, Michael would meet someone he knew and strike up a conversation.' Symbols of Michael's life which were brought to the altar included; a photo of Mike on his quad on his 1000-acre farm, a photo of Mike on holidays, up a photo of the globe, a photo of Mike and Janice's wedding, a CD and a photo of Mike and his rally car. Most poignantly, Michael's family friend brought up a photo of Saint Michael the Archangel, which symbolises divine protection and strength and who was a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. Michael Gaine. Pic: An Garda Síochána Missing Persons 'He is considered a champion of justice. Mike Gaine was a strong character who loved people and their stories. He was generous and big-hearted and never refused to assist anyone who needed help. He saw good in everyone and always stood up for justice. Like Saint Michael there was not an evil bone in Mike Gaine's body,' he added. Father George Hayes spoke of the pain that embroiled Kenmare in the days following Michael's disappearance. 'Neidín, Ceann Mara, Kenmare is a place of enchanting beauty. The soft green hills protect us from the winter gales. Kenmare bay sparkles with the cleanest of water. Moss and ferns grow under our feet. As you drive toward Moll's Gap from Killarney, on a summer evening, the mountains captivate you as they seem to be stacked behind each other. 'And into this, our peaceful, idyllic, sylvan existence, something terrible has come. We are discommoded and feel at a loss. Over these weeks, since Michael went missing, we have asked so many questions – and, in life, sometimes, there are no answers,' he continued. 'But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine. Today we recover Michael's dignity because, today, we speak Michael's name with love. And it is the dignity of Michael's life, and not the manner of Michael's death, that will abide in our hearts. Here in this place, today, we recover Michael's dignity. We speak Michael's name with love.' Pushing for goodness to prevail, he urged: 'Today our challenge, as believers in Jesus Christ, is not to give in to the toxic. Let us not give in to hatred and bitterness. Let us not give in to death and destruction. Let us go from here today, and in Michael's name, let us resolve to do good. Let us strive for justice and fairness. Let us be builders of peace and create relationships of dignity. Because, if you don't build a better world and if I don't build a better world, who will build a better world?' Maureen Finnegan, a family friend, spoke of Michael's good nature, vowing to be there for his family during this trying time. 'Though we need to weep your loss, you now dwell in that safe place in our hearts, where no storm or night or pain or evil can reach you. May this dark grief – flower with hope in every heart that loves you. Your days here were too brief. 'Let us not look for you only in memory, where we would feel lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence – beside us when beauty brightens, when darkest winter has turned to Spring. May you continue to inspire us: to enter each day with a generous heart. To do what you would want us to do. 'To serve the call of courage and love and generosity, until we see you once again, in that land where there is no more separation, where evil doesn't exist – where all tears will be wiped from our mind, and where we will never lose you again.' Finishing off proceedings, Michael's widow Janice lead the family out of the church holding Michael's urn in her arms, cradled in a sheepskin-lined basket. A former US Marine, Michael Kelley, who had worked on Mr Gaine's farm, was arrested in connection with the case and detained for 24 hours, but released without charge the following night due to insufficient evidence. Mr Kelley has revealed that he sought asylum in Ireland over fears of unjust persecution in the US. Gardaí are continuing to investigate several theories over Mr Gaine's death.
