Murder suspect 'knew missing farmer' who was 'dumped in slurry tank'

Daily Record

19-05-2025

Police continue to quiz a suspect over the murder of 56-year-old Michael Gaine.
Police are set to continue their interrogation of a suspect this morning in connection with the murder of a farmer. Following the dramatic arrest, it has emerged that the suspect knew missing 56-year-old Michael Gaine.
"There was a connection between the two men. This was not a stranger murder," an insider disclosed.
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The Irish Mirror has also learned that the man, in his 50s, had been on the radar in the investigation for several weeks but became a prime suspect after what are believed to be Mr Gaine's remains were found on his farm in Co. Kerry late on Friday afternoon.
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The decision to arrest the man was prompted by the grim discovery, reports Cork Beo.
The suspect, who had moved away from the Kenmare area within the last two weeks and was living elsewhere in Kerry, was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon by Gardai investigating the disappearance and murder of Mr Gaine.
Mr Gaine was last spotted at a Centra shop in central Kenmare on March 20, and his wife Janice reported him missing the following day.
After extensive searches and coming to the conclusion at the end of last month that there was no chance he was still alive, Gardai formally upgraded the case from a missing person to a homicide investigation on April 29.
This meant that officers believed he had either been murdered or died accidentally during an altercation.
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However, the suspect apprehended yesterday is being detained on suspicion of murder.
Officers have a 24-hour window to interrogate the man in connection with the murder case, with the Director of Public Prosecutions expected to make a decision on charges this afternoon.
The arrest was confirmed by Gardai in a statement released last night.
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In their statement, officers said: "Gardaí at Killarney Garda Station continue to investigate the disappearance and homicide of Michael Gaine (56), who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry, on Friday, March 21, 2025.
"The homicide investigation, led by a Senior Investigating Officer and the Serious Crime Unit Kerry Garda Division is ongoing, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).
"This afternoon, Sunday, May 18, a male (aged in his 50s) has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
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"The male is being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Kerry Division.
"An Garda Síochána continue to carry out searches and technical examinations at lands at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry."
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The force informed that Mr Gaine's family had been made aware of the development.
It said: "The family of Michael Gaine have been informed of this arrest and An Garda Síochána continue to support Michaels family through a Family Liaison Officer. The family have requested privacy at this time.
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"Gardaí continue to appeal to the public's assistance in this investigation. The Garda investigation team can be contacted at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána.
"Updates will be provided as appropriate."
A breakthrough in the case came just 36 hours after partial remains, believed to be those of the Mr Gaine's, were discovered on his property outside Kenmare.
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Following weeks of searching for Mr Gaine without success, officers concluded last month that he was deceased and upgraded his missing person case to a homicide investigation on April 29.
The investigation was ongoing when the dramatic events of Friday unfolded.
Neighbours of Mr Gaine were spraying slurry from a tank on his farm onto his land when they stumbled upon suspected human remains and alerted the Gardai.
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A search was conducted on Saturday, resulting in the recovery of additional remains that were later confirmed to be human.
Further searches took place yesterday, with a hearse spotted at the family farm at one point.
On Saturday, State Pathologist, Dr Sally Anne Collis and Forensic Anthropologist Laureen Buckley assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau carried out preliminary examinations at the scene. They established that the remains were human.
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The remains are currently undergoing DNA testing, with sources indicating that Gardai expect confirmation as early as today that they belong to Mr Gaine. Gardai suspect that Mr Gaine's remains were dismembered before being discarded in a slurry pit, which had previously been searched by officers.
The farm and surrounding land were still under investigation when the shocking news of the suspect's arrest broke on Sunday evening.
On Sunday, Michael Healy-Rae, Independent TD for Kerry, expressed the local community in Kenmare's desire for answers.
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"All we want is answers," he stated on RTE's This Week programme.
"We want to know, and the family want to know. Mike was a very respectable, hardworking, genuine man, a great community person and a person that everybody liked.
"To think that somebody would have this type of event happen to them ... we're all horrified. We're upset. It is not something that we're used to in any part of Ireland. But in this locality, we never had a situation like this before."
He added: "This is a horrific time for the family, for the whole community, the extended friends, relatives and relations. But at the end of the day, at least now the team can work on the evidence that they have found.
"And we hope and earnestly pray that more answers can be found to all questions that the family and all of us have."