'Proud Kerry man' Michael Gaine laid to rest as murder investigation continues
THE FUNERAL of Michael Gaine, whose death is the subject of an ongoing murder investigation, has taken place in Co. Kerry.
At Holy Cross Church in Kenmare on Saturday, mourners heard how the popular 56-year-old was 'incredibly generous [and] had time for everyone'.
Parish priest Father George Hayes also said the funeral was about 'recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine'.
Addressing a packed church, Eoghan Clarke paid a moving tribute to his late uncle.
"Michael was a proud man, a proud Kerry man and an even prouder Kenmare man," he said.
"He was born here in Kenmare in 1968 and he's lived here all of his life.
"He was raised by two incredible parents, Jimmy and Sheila, who instilled in him their incredible work ethic, personality and humour for which Michael was so well known."
He added: "Michael was incredibly generous, he had time for everyone and he would chip in any time, any place, to help anyone out.
"A quote by a friend of his summed him up better than I ever could: 'I will always remember the way you offered help before I ever even needed it.'
"Michael seemed to 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 [still have time to] enjoy himself." 'There are no answers'
Mr Gaine was a popular figure in the farming and rallying scenes in Ireland.
Gifts brought to the altar included a picture of him on his quad at his farm with his beloved dog, Teddy, as well as his rally helmet.
Other pictures included one of Mr Gaine on holiday, reflecting his love of travel, as well as pictures of his family and of his wedding to wife Janice.
A CD was also brought to the altar representing his love of music.
Addressing Mr Gaine's death, Fr Hayes said 'something terrible has come' to the beautiful countryside of Co. Kerry but that the funeral was a time to 'recover Michael's dignity'.
"We are discommoded and we feel at a loss and over these weeks since Michael went missing we've asked so many questions," he said.
"In life sometimes we find that there are no answers but in the best traditions 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.
"It is in the dignity of Michael's life and not in the manner of Michael's death that he will abide in our hearts because here in this place today, we recover Michael's dignity, we speak Michael's name with love."
He added: "Our challenge as believers in Jesus Christ is to go from here and not to give in to the toxic.
"Let's not give in to hatred and bitterness. Let's not give in to death and destruction.
"Let's go from here today and in Michael's name let us resolve to do good. Let's strive for justice and for fairness in our world.
"Let's be builders of peace and create relationships of dignity because if you don't build a better world and I don't build a better world, who will build a better world?" Investigation
Mr Gaine was last seen alive in a shop in Kenmare town on March 20 before leaving in his car, which was later found parked in his farmyard at Carrig East.
He was reported missing the following day, however, on April 29, gardaí reclassified the case as a homicide.
A search of his land at Carrig East on May 17 uncovered human remains, which were later identified as those of Mr Gaine.
On May 18, a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder before being released without charge the following day.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance in the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the garda investigation team at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666111 or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána.
See More: Kenmare, Kerry, Michael Gaine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
33 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Murdered Scottish gangsters linked to Kinahan Cartel's €157m cocaine shipment
Fears that double killing could signal Irish gangsters' involvement in new mob war The pair, who were shot dead in an attack at Monaghan's pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol eight days ago, were key figures in the Glasgow-based Lyons crime gang. Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP and former crime journalist Russell Findlay yesterday told the Sunday World a major concern for Stephen Lyons at this moment is whether the Kinahans may have, in fact, sanctioned the hit. The scene at Monaghan's pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol where Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were gunned down . 'We already know the Kinahans' involvement in the Scottish drug trade is significant,' he said. 'Their connections with the Lyons have fuelled gangland violence in Scotland and escalated it over the years. 'In the paranoid world of organised crime, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors, a lot of speculation, but what I suppose this boils down to, is either the Kinahans have had a hand in these murders due to some unknown internal fallout or they have seen two of their allies gunned down in cold blood. 'If it is the latter, then the expectation would be there will be some kind of retribution. 'If I was in Stephen Lyons' shoes, living my luxury air-conditioned lifestyle in Dubai, I would be seeking a meeting with the Kinahans at the earliest possible opportunity to work out who has been responsible for this. Gangsters Eddie Lyons Jnr 'But the real fear now is this will only fuel gangland violence, not just in Spain, but also in the streets of Scotland.' In the immediate aftermath of the double assassination at Monaghan's bar, speculation immediately connected the killings to a feud between the Lyons and the rival Daniel gang in Scotland. An escalation in that feud has resulted in assaults, shootings and fire-bombings across Glasgow and Edinburgh in recent months. Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 However, a Lyons family member subsequently discounted this theory, while a statement by Police Scotland said there is 'nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland'. Spanish police are instead understood to be focussed on the likelihood the murders are linked to wider gangland tensions – and are making inquiries to determine what if any stance the Kinahans had taken on the killings. Ross Monaghan Lyons (46), and Monaghan (43) died when a gunman opened fire on them in the Fuengirola bar – where the pair had watched the Champions League final, at about 11pm on the night of the killings. The gunman then fled the scene in a car. Sources say the Daniel gang had shied away from making any moves against the Lyons in Spain due to their connections with the Kinahan mob and believe it unlikely their attitude would have changed sufficiently for involvement in the double killing likely. Outlining the background to the Kinahan's alliance with the Lyons and the effect this had on their feud with the Daniel gang, our source referred to a triple shooting in Scotland that occurred at an MOT station in the Lambhill area of the city in 2006. In that shooting, Stephen Lyons was badly wounded, as was his associate Robert Pickett, while Stephen's cousin Michael Lyons was shot dead. A source said: 'Going way back, there was a triple shooting in Glasgow at an MOT station, Stephen was shot, his cousin Michael was murdered, and a third man Pickett was shot. 'That resulted in Stephen fleeing to Spain. And it was that, fleeing to Spain, that was either the catalyst for the Kinahan connection being made or that made it bigger than it had already been. Russell Findlay 'At that point, some Daniel gang-related associate was in the Costa del Sol and ascertained the Lyons were close to the Kinahans and took the view that they could not make a move on them in Spain. 'They could not make a move against Stephen in Spain. 'So, if the Daniel gang took the view that was too big a move or that the backlash would be too big back then, it would be consistent with them not having the wherewithal to do it now.' The source said Stephen Lyons is the only member remaining out of the youth gang from which he, Michael and Eddie Jnr emerged. 'The rest are either dead or in prison,' he said. Asked if Stephen Lyons has anything to fear from his long-term allies, the Kinahans, the source responded: 'These people have absolutely no qualms about putting a knife between the shoulder blades of their best friends if it suits them. 'There's no loyalty and there's a paranoia that envelopes everything they do. So, it would be premature to assume the Kinahans are on a war footing over this to avenge the Lyons murders when for all we know they could have been responsible for it.' In their statement released on Tuesday, Police Scotland said they were not directly investigating the double murder. Instead they said: 'The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police,' it said. 'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested; however at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain. 'There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. 'Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain are not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country. '
Sunday World
33 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Irish woman who accused Madeleine McCann suspect of rape fears he will hunt her down if freed
Christian Brueckner (48), is due to be freed from a German jail in September Christian Brueckner was tried in Germany for Ms Behan's rape and was found not guilty on the basis of insufficient evidence (Getty) An Irish woman who alleged she was raped at knifepoint by the main suspect in the disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann says she fears he will seek her out following his release from prison. Christian Brueckner (48), is due to be freed from a German jail in September after completing his sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old US woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2005. Hazel Behan (41), who has waived her right to anonymity, said she fears the German man will 'hunt her down'. 'His sentence may be ending but mine never did. I have lived with fear every day for 21 years,' she told The Sun. 'Fear that I'll see him. Fear that he'll find out where I live and hunt me down. I also have fear that he'll do to someone else what he did to me. 'I've called him out in a public forum and I have genuine concern he could confront me. 'I wouldn't put anything past a person like him. 'If he is released, I will worry for every woman and child who, like me, believes the justice system is protecting them. 'A leopard doesn't change his spots.' Brueckner, a convicted sex offender, was acquitted by a German court in relation to the charge of violent rape of Ms Behan at her apartment in Praia da Rocha in Portugal's Algarve. Later this year, Ms Behan expects to discover the outcome of her High Court appeal in Germany against his acquittal for raping her, another woman and a girl in Portugal in 2004. Hazel Behan (Steve Humphreys) Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 Ms Behan has accused the Portuguese authorities of alleged 'inaction' in identifying and prosecuting Brueckner. In April, she lodged an application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the Portuguese authorities over their handling of her attack. Ms Behan also expressed her sympathy and support for the Leicestershire-based family of Madeleine who went missing in Praia da Luz while on holiday with her family in 2007 when she was three years old. 'As a parent, I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and continue to go through every day for the past 18 years,' she said. German and Portuguese police and firefighters carried out a three-day search of an area near Praia da Luz last week in the latest efforts to find out what happened to the missing child.
Sunday World
34 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body
Jim O'Callaghan also said it would be preferable if An Garda Siochana had its own cadaver dog to help find human remains. Ireland's Minister for Justice has raised concern with the head of Irish police over how long it took to find the body of murder victim Tina Satchwell. Jim O'Callaghan also said it would be preferable if An Garda Siochana had its own cadaver dog to help find human remains. He said there is currently just one cadaver dog on the island of Ireland which belongs to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Irish Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has raised concerns (Brian Lawless/PA) It was announced last week that both the investigation into the murder of Mrs Satchwell, and of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine, will be reviewed. A report is to be compiled and given to Mr O'Callaghan on Mrs Satchwell's disappearance while the case of Mr Gaine is undergoing a peer review. Speaking on RTE Radio One's This Week programme, Mr O'Callaghan said he had his quarterly meeting with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week and brought up the murder of Mrs Satchwell. 'I think from the outset it has to be said that gardai deserve to be commended for getting justice in this case,' he said. 'The person responsible for her murder, Richard Satchwell, is now serving a life sentence. 'However I did raise with the commissioner concern about the fact it had taken a considerable period of time to find her body and he said he is going to prepare a report on that.' It took six years before Mrs Satchwell's body was found. Tina Satchwell was murdered (Family/PA) Today's News in 90 Seconds - 09 June 2025 Mr O'Callaghan pointed out there are 'very devious people out there who go to very great lengths to hide their crimes'. 'That was the case with Richard Satchwell, and it is also the case with the person responsible for the murder of Mike Gaine who hasn't yet been apprehended,' he said. Asked whether a cadaver dog should have been brought into the Satchwell home in 2017 during the investigation, Mr O'Callaghan said 'probably, it should have happened'. He said he also spoke to Mr Harris about the effectiveness of cadaver dogs. 'They're a very specialised dog in terms of trying to train them, there is one on the island of Ireland, the PSNI has one,' he said. 'That dog is sought by many police forces in Britain as well. We got the use of the dog here and he was of much assistance. 'It obviously would be preferable if we had a cadaver dog. They have a very limited work life, cadaver dogs, they're only operational for a period of about three years, they have to go through a very difficult training process. 'It would be preferable if the cadaver dog available on the island had been used earlier.'
