Intrigue surrounds US suspect in Mike Gaine case who has moved to Tralee
Michael Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours and denies any involvement in murder of farmer
Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren
In the week where two probes were launched into the garda investigation of the Mike Gaine case, Michael Kelley kept a low profile in Tralee.
Mr Kelley has made a complaint to Fiosrú, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), about his treatment by gardaí. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed Mr Gaine's killing is the subject of a peer review, saying lessons can be learned from homicides that begin as missing persons cases.
Before people knew his name, many in Kerry only knew of Michael Kelley as 'the Yank'.
When farmer Michael Gaine first went missing, many locals spoke of 'a Yank living on the farm', curious about what he was doing there and where he had come from.
Mr Kelley's arrest last month and the subsequent public admission that he was questioned by gardaí on suspicion of murdering Mr Gaine have enhanced the intrigue surrounding him. Mr Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours. He denies having any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder.
Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm
Kenmare pauses to say farewell to Mike Gaine
People in Kenmare said Mr Kelley and Mr Gaine met a few years ago. One source said Mr Gaine was out hunting and found Mr Kelley sleeping rough in a remote area outside Kenmare. Mr Gaine offered Mr Kelley some work on his farm and the use of an old house there, they said.
The house provided basic living. People in the area said they believe it had no electricity and they were uncertain if it had running water. It had not been lived in for years before Mr Kelley moved in. Mr Gaine lived elsewhere, not too far from the farm.
Mr Kelley remained at the old farmhouse until Mr Gaine's death and for a short time afterwards while searches were conducted to try to find the farmer.
He relocated from the farm to Tralee shortly before Mr Gaine's remains were found. Intrigue followed Mr Kelley there too.
He currently lives in the town centre, and while he spent some time during his early days there busking in the square, people living and working in Tralee say they have not seen him play music for a couple of weeks. Others did not realise he had been busking.
He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself
'He's out most in the mornings. He often goes down to the supermarket and then goes back to where he's staying. We don't see much more of him than that, really,' one woman working near Mr Kelley's home said last week.
She said he does not appear to talk to anyone, and few people make moves to interact with him.
Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren
'He seems fine and keeps to himself,' a man said.
People are curious because of how he has found himself at the centre of a murder case that has gripped the nation.
One person working near Mr Kelley's new home said they noticed a delivery van two weeks ago outside the building he lives in. It was delivering beds and other furniture.
'I presume it was for the Yank, he's the only new person in there I think. Maybe that means he'll be here for a while,' they said.
'We don't see much else happening, although people are definitely interested in him. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself.'
Another man said: 'The only people I have seen him talking to are a couple of reporters.
'There were a few reporters here for days trying to speak to him, but he hasn't been out much. He was out one day in a pair of wellies and waterproof pants. Last week he was out in a pair of sandals talking to reporters.
'Other than that, you don't really see him.'
Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm
Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
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Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Intrigue surrounds US suspect in Mike Gaine case who has moved to Tralee
Michael Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours and denies any involvement in murder of farmer Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren In the week where two probes were launched into the garda investigation of the Mike Gaine case, Michael Kelley kept a low profile in Tralee. Mr Kelley has made a complaint to Fiosrú, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), about his treatment by gardaí. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed Mr Gaine's killing is the subject of a peer review, saying lessons can be learned from homicides that begin as missing persons cases. Before people knew his name, many in Kerry only knew of Michael Kelley as 'the Yank'. When farmer Michael Gaine first went missing, many locals spoke of 'a Yank living on the farm', curious about what he was doing there and where he had come from. Mr Kelley's arrest last month and the subsequent public admission that he was questioned by gardaí on suspicion of murdering Mr Gaine have enhanced the intrigue surrounding him. Mr Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours. He denies having any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm Kenmare pauses to say farewell to Mike Gaine People in Kenmare said Mr Kelley and Mr Gaine met a few years ago. One source said Mr Gaine was out hunting and found Mr Kelley sleeping rough in a remote area outside Kenmare. Mr Gaine offered Mr Kelley some work on his farm and the use of an old house there, they said. The house provided basic living. People in the area said they believe it had no electricity and they were uncertain if it had running water. It had not been lived in for years before Mr Kelley moved in. Mr Gaine lived elsewhere, not too far from the farm. Mr Kelley remained at the old farmhouse until Mr Gaine's death and for a short time afterwards while searches were conducted to try to find the farmer. He relocated from the farm to Tralee shortly before Mr Gaine's remains were found. Intrigue followed Mr Kelley there too. He currently lives in the town centre, and while he spent some time during his early days there busking in the square, people living and working in Tralee say they have not seen him play music for a couple of weeks. Others did not realise he had been busking. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself 'He's out most in the mornings. He often goes down to the supermarket and then goes back to where he's staying. We don't see much more of him than that, really,' one woman working near Mr Kelley's home said last week. She said he does not appear to talk to anyone, and few people make moves to interact with him. Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren 'He seems fine and keeps to himself,' a man said. People are curious because of how he has found himself at the centre of a murder case that has gripped the nation. One person working near Mr Kelley's new home said they noticed a delivery van two weeks ago outside the building he lives in. It was delivering beds and other furniture. 'I presume it was for the Yank, he's the only new person in there I think. Maybe that means he'll be here for a while,' they said. 'We don't see much else happening, although people are definitely interested in him. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself.' Another man said: 'The only people I have seen him talking to are a couple of reporters. 'There were a few reporters here for days trying to speak to him, but he hasn't been out much. He was out one day in a pair of wellies and waterproof pants. Last week he was out in a pair of sandals talking to reporters. 'Other than that, you don't really see him.' Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
Irish Independent
16 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Intrigue surrounds US suspect in Mike Gaine case who has moved to Tralee
Mr Kelley has made a complaint to Fiosrú, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), about his treatment by gardaí. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed Mr Gaine's killing is the subject of a peer review, saying lessons can be learned from homicides that begin as missing persons cases. Before people knew his name, many in Kerry only knew of Michael Kelley as 'the Yank'. When farmer Michael Gaine first went missing, many locals spoke of 'a Yank living on the farm', curious about what he was doing there and where he had come from. Mr Kelley's arrest last month and the subsequent public admission that he was questioned by gardaí on suspicion of murdering Mr Gaine have enhanced the intrigue surrounding him. Mr Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours. He denies having any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. People in Kenmare said Mr Kelley and Mr Gaine met a few years ago. One source said Mr Gaine was out hunting and found Mr Kelley sleeping rough in a remote area outside Kenmare. Mr Gaine offered Mr Kelley some work on his farm and the use of an old house there, they said. The house provided basic living. People in the area said they believe it had no electricity and they were uncertain if it had running water. It had not been lived in for years before Mr Kelley moved in. Mr Gaine lived elsewhere, not too far from the farm. Mr Kelley remained at the old farmhouse until Mr Gaine's death and for a short time afterwards while searches were conducted to try to find the farmer. He relocated from the farm to Tralee shortly before Mr Gaine's remains were found. Intrigue followed Mr Kelley there too. He currently lives in the town centre, and while he spent some time during his early days there busking in the square, people living and working in Tralee say they have not seen him play music for a couple of weeks. Others did not realise he had been busking. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself 'He's out most in the mornings. He often goes down to the supermarket and then goes back to where he's staying. We don't see much more of him than that, really,' one woman working near Mr Kelley's home said last week. She said he does not appear to talk to anyone, and few people make moves to interact with him. The Sunday Independent's efforts to contact and speak with him last week were unsuccessful. 'He seems fine and keeps to himself,' a man said. People are curious because of how he has found himself at the centre of a murder case that has gripped the nation. One person working near Mr Kelley's new home said they noticed a delivery van two weeks ago outside the building he lives in. It was delivering beds and other furniture. 'I presume it was for the Yank, he's the only new person in there I think. Maybe that means he'll be here for a while,' they said. 'We don't see much else happening, although people are definitely interested in him. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself.' Another man said: 'The only people I have seen him talking to are a couple of reporters. 'There were a few reporters here for days trying to speak to him, but he hasn't been out much. He was out one day in a pair of wellies and waterproof pants. Last week he was out in a pair of sandals talking to reporters. 'Other than that, you don't really see him.'
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Garda launch probe into Mike Gaine murder as chief suspect makes official complaint
This week, Michael Kelley (56) made an official complaint to Fiosrú about his treatment by officers in the investigation, led by Killarney gardaí. Michael Kelley (right) is a suspect in the murder of Mike Gaine (left), but he has complained to Fiosrú about garda treatment Two probes have been launched into the garda investigation of the murder of Kerry farmer Mike Gaine. The Sunday World can reveal that last night the chief suspect for Mr Gaine's murder has made a formal complaint about his treatment by gardaí. American national Michael Kelley has lodged a complaint with Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc). This is the agency that deals with complaints about the conduct of gardaí from members of the public. Mr Kelley, a Tralee-based former soldier, has been arrested as a murder suspect, but denies any involvement. He was released without charge. This week, Mr Kelley (56) made an official complaint to Fiosrú about his treatment by officers in the investigation, led by Killarney gardaí. When contacted by the Sunday World, a spokeswoman for the ombudsman said she could not comment on the matter. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan TD and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. This revelation came just hours after Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed the investigation into the murder of Mr Gaine is under 'peer review'. He said: 'We're subjecting that to a peer review because I do think there is learning for us around those who would commit crime and then attempt to dispose of the body, and often are successful in disposing of the body.' It is not known what exactly forms the basis for the complaint made to the watchdog by Mr Kelley. However, in previous media interviews, Mr Kelley has been critical of the investigation that led to his arrest. 'The only person who can make a legitimate complaint to Fiosrú in matters such as these is the subject of the garda investigation or a witness to what happened,' a source said. 'As we all know, there were no witnesses to the murder of Michael Gaine,' they added. Mr Kelley, who has denied any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder, was arrested on May 18. That was just over 36 hours after Mr Gaine's body parts were discovered in slurry that was being spread on farmland. He was later released without charge. Gardaí believe Mr Gaine was dismembered after he was killed, and that the body parts were dumped in a 50,000-gallon slurry tank on the property. Mike Gaine (left) and Michael Kelley (right) News in 90 Seconds - 7th June As part of the investigation, a full background check is being carried out on Mr Kelley, who had been living on Mr Gaine's farm and working as a farmhand for a number of years. Speaking yesterday in Templemore, Co Tipperary, the Garda Commissioner said there were lessons to be learnt from homicides that begin as a missing person case. He said gardaí have seen a real pattern around this in recent years, and they want to be sure that they have an investigative mindset in relation to a crime having been committed around a missing person report. Mr Harris said gardaí have reviewed all missing persons reports and found no other homicide cases. He also revealed that the investigation into the murder of Tina Satchwell will also be reviewed. Ms Satchwell's husband Richard was sentenced to life in prison earlier this week for her murder, after he buried her body under the stairs of their home in Youghal, Co Cork. It is understood the review of the Satchwell case will take the form of a thematic review. As part of the review, specific aspects of the original investigation will be examined to identify any problems or areas of the inquiry where lessons can be learnt, and improvements made to similar investigations in the future. Mr Harris said that 'in hindsight', it may have been 'very obvious' where Ms Satchwell's remains were. He said the 2017 search for Ms Satchwell did 'harvest' a 'huge' amount of information, which was useful in the re-examination of the case. Mr Harris said: 'All of those were crucial. So I would say the initial investigation was hamstrung because of the lack of information in comparison to the later re-examination of this matter. 'There's far more information to hand which gave us real grounds then for actual suspicion and then inquiries that we could lead. 'When you look at hindsight, some of these things can seem very obvious, but in the moment, what was known, what was being said in terms of sighting, what was being said in terms of the victim by her husband – one has to recognise the victimology that was being applied here. 'His suppression of her, the coercive control that obviously she was subject to for many years, her isolation in that particular community, that meant there was very few other people we could speak to [about] what Tina Satchwell's life was like. 'It was a complex investigation. Yes, the house was searched in 2017, forensic scientists also accompanied that search, it was subject to thorough examination and looked for blood splatter, none was found.' Mr Harris said a report would be compiled and given to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan on the investigation into Ms Satchwell's disappearance.
