
Missing Michael Gaine update as probe ‘reclassified as homicide' amid fresh plea to help ‘bring him back to family'
THE probe into missing farmer Michael Gaine has been reclassified as a homicide investigation, gardai announced tonight.
The 56-year-old was last seen on Thursday March 20, 2025 in his local Centra store in
1
The probe into missing farmer Michael Gaine has been reclassified as a homicide investigation
The farmer was
Despite
Now,
A spokesperson said: 'Based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team at Killarney Garda station, An Garda Síochána can confirm today Tuesday, 29th April 2025 that this missing person investigation has now been reclassified as a homicide investigation, and a formal criminal investigation has now commenced.
Read more in News
'An Garda Síochána continue to keep
'An Garda Síochána continue to support Michael's family through a Family Liaison Officer as they come to terms with this update.
'Despite the extensive enquiries carried out so far, An Garda Síochána have not recovered Michael's remains.'
The statement continued: 'Gardaí are seeking information from anyone who can assist us in bringing Michael back to his family.
Most read in Irish News
'An Garda Síochána appeal to any person who may have any information about what happened to Michael on Thursday, 20th March 2025 to contact the Garda Investigation Team.
'There are person or persons who know what happened on the 20th of March 2025.
'STRICTEST CONFIDENCE'
'If you have not been in a position to speak to An Garda Síochána about the information you have, or have already spoken to An Garda Síochána but have more information that you can provide - An Garda Síochána is appealing to you to come forward with that information.
'Information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
'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 at any Garda Station nationwide.'
Gaine is described as being 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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Agriland
11 hours ago
- Agriland
Gardaí in Co. Donegal investigating theft of horse
Gardaí in Donegal are investigating the theft of a Boulonnais horse from a field in Ture, Muff, Co. Donegal. According to An Garda Síochána, the incident took place between 5:00p.m on Saturday, May 31, and 10:00 a.m on Sunday, June 1. Gardaí have described the horse as white, three years old, 16 hands in height, and with anchor branding on its neck. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: 'Anyone with information or the whereabouts of the horse, or who may come across it for sale, is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 9320540 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. In a separate incident, Gardaí are also investigating an incident at Gort na Rí, Kilmacrennan, Co. Donegal. The incident occurred at around 12:15 a.m yesterday, June 10, involving a red and black scrambler motorbike with two males on board. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: 'Anyone with camera footage, including dash-cam, in the area between 11:30p.m on June 9, and 12:30a.m on June 10 is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on 074 9153060 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Gardaí Separately, last week (June 4) a tractor driver who was spotted by gardaí using a mobile phone while driving on the main street of a Co. Kildare town received a fine and points. According to An Garda Síochána Kildare, one of their team – on mountain bike patrol – saw the tractor driver using a mobile phone while driving on the main street of Naas. The driver received a €120 fine and three penalty points were issued under a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN). In a post on social media, An Garda Síochána Kildare said: 'Distracted driving is dangerous – keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone'. According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), it is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, e.g., between your head and shoulder, while driving. The RSA has also highlighted that anyone caught using their mobile phone while driving will receive a fixed charge of €120, and three penalty points. However if a driver fails to pay the €120 fine, this increases to a fixed charge of €180 after 28 days, and five penalty points, on conviction, are also applied.

Irish Times
13 hours ago
- Irish Times
Water cannons and body-worn cameras: How policing has changed under Drew Harris
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had much to show the media at an event at Garda HQ on Monday . New riot gear, a massive water canon, smart body-worn cameras, hand-held computers and more secure vehicles, part of the force's fleet, the largest ever. Questions why one piece of useful equipment – a cadaver dog – was not on the list of new acquisitions were eagerly asked by the media, and easily answered by Harris. The new kit got the attention but central to the event was the launch of a new report, Transforming An Garda Síochána, detailing the advances made in modernising the force since 2018. READ MORE That was the year when the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland reported its finding and recommendations, laying out a roadmap for the years ahead; it was also the year Harris was appointed. The good news kept coming but never far from any discussion of modern policing is the ongoing failure to recruit and retain gardaí. And then there's the matter of Harris's unpopularity with the rank-and-file. Crime and security editor Conor Lally was at Garda HQ and he tells In the News how the commissioner, who is due to finish up in September, will be remembered. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan


Irish Independent
17 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Video emerges in Cork of man appearing to perform Nazi salute amid jeering between protest groups
Two demonstrations, which both took place in Cork City last Saturday, clashed as they began their marches – one to support the people of Palestine, and the other against what 'Ireland says No' organisers label 'mass uncontrolled' immigration. Gardaí say that they 'implemented a proportionate operation to police a number of public gatherings which took place in Cork City Centre. 'Three separate public gatherings took place, all of which assembled in the Grand Parade area. Over 100 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty in Cork City Centre,' said a statement from An Garda Síochána. The demonstration saw the 'Ireland says No' rally finish outside City Hall, while the pro-Palestinian demonstration, which has taken place every Saturday since the beginning of the conflict, ended back on Grand Parade. However, it was at the beginning of the march where a flashpoint broke out between the two protests that were separated by barriers and a police cordon. Insults were shouted from one side to another, but in a shocking video, one man appears to have performed a Nazi salute, saluting from his chest with a flat arm before extending the flat palm outwards from his body. The gesture appeared to have incensed pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who gestured back to the man, who was wearing a Celtic FC top. Performing a Nazi gesture and displaying Nazi symbolism is illegal in many European countries, including France, Italy, and Germany. However, it is legal in countries like Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Gardaí meanwhile confirmed that a man in his 30s who was arrested during the march has subsequently been released without charge pending further investigations. He had been arrested under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. However, that arrest is not believed to be related to the gesture. 'Ireland operates as a constitutional democracy, ensuring that citizens have the right to express their beliefs and opinions freely, as well as to gather peacefully, in accordance with legal provisions,' said a statement from An Garda Síochána about the event. ADVERTISEMENT Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers said: 'I would like to thank the participants for gathering peacefully. A significant policing operation was deployed to ensure the safety of everyone involved. I would also like thank the community and public transport companies in Cork City Centre for their support throughout the afternoon.' Uniformed frontline Gardaí were supported by colleagues from the Garda National Public Order Unit, Garda Mounted Unit, Garda Dog Unit, Garda Air Support Unit, Divisional plainclothes Gardaí and Gardaí from National Units, all in anticipation of the two events running concurrently.