Mourners gather in Kenmare for Michael Gaine's funeral
Human tissue found at Mr Gaine's farm was later confirmed by gardaí to belong to Mr Gaine. His death is being treated as murder.
Mike Gaine's disappearance was initially treated as a missing person's case before it was re-classified by gardaí on 29 April when a criminal investigation began.
Human tissue found in fields and in the farmyard at Mr Gaine's farm on 16 May was later confirmed to be his.
On 19 May, gardaí arrested and questioned a man in his 50s on suspicion of Mr Gaine's murder. The man was released without charge, after he had spent 24 hours in garda custody.
Former US soldier Michael Kelley, who had been living on Mr Gaine's farm for almost three years before he moved to Tralee in April, identified himself in an interview with RTÉ News as the man who had been arrested.
Mr Kelley has denied any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. He claims he is being framed by a subversive criminal organisation.
Mr Gaine farmed a 1,000-acre holding on the scenic Ring of Kerry, between Kenmare and Moll's Gap.
He was well known in the farming community as well as in car rallying circles.
His remains have been cremated, and his funeral will take place with requiem mass at Holy Cross Church in Kenmare.
Mike Gaine's wife Janice and his sisters, Noreen and Catherine, have thanked people for their support and understanding in what they have described as this extremely difficult time.
They say they have chosen Mr Gaine's final resting place to be private.
Yesterday, hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to Mr Gaine's family.
Many of his friends from the rallying community spent the week restoring his Ford Escort Mark II rally car. They put an engine in it and have made it roadworthy.
The car was among a number of rally cars parked outside Finnegan's Funeral Home in Kenmare.
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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael Gaine murder suspect has nothing to say as gardai scrap chainsaw theory
The suspect in the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine has refused to be drawn on the garda theory that multiple blades were used. 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. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week 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. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
RTÉ News
07-08-2025
- RTÉ News
US police find no evidence of violence in death of Irish woman on boat
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RTÉ News
28-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Breaking Man sentenced to death over killing of Seán Rooney
A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while serving in the region in December 2022. The main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, was sentenced to death for his part in the killing, RTÉ News understands. Sources said that the accused was not understood to have been present in the court when the sentence was announced. Lebanon has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 and has carried out no executions since then. The death sentence is thus expected to be commuted to a prison term in the future, the source added. Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed the conviction of the main defendant in the case. In a statement, Mr Harris said he has been informed of the completion of hearings held by a military tribunal in Beirut. He said he welcomed the conviction of the main defendant and a number of other defendants, who had not previously been in court. "While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today," Mr Harris said. Pte Rooney and several colleagues were just a short distance from the main highway into Beirut when their vehicle was fired on near the southern Lebanese village of Al-Aqbiya on 14 December 2022. The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while driving an armoured jeep. The Tánaiste said Pte Rooney made the "ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace". "This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night. "All our thoughts are with them at this time." Mr Harris said he appreciated efforts of the Lebanese court to bring forward the hearing date forward from September to today. "Finally, I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney. "None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time," the Tánaiste concluded.
