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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Michael Gaine: Murdered farmer was 'kind, strong and loving'
Mourners attending the funeral Mass of a County Kerry farmer, whose death is the subject of a murder inquiry, have heard he was a kind, strong man, who loved people, farming and Gaine, 56, had been missing for more than eight weeks when his remains were found in May on his farm, near was initially treated as a missing persons case before it was upgraded to a Saturday the congregation was told by parish priest Fr George Hayes that the funeral was about recovering his dignity, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. 'Proud Kerry man' "There were many questions but sometimes in life there were no answers," said Fr George said that the "dignity of Michael's life, and not the manner of Michael's death, that will abide in our hearts".Michael was someone who "loved much and was much loved," Fr Hayes a tribute to his cousin, Eoghan Clarke, who spoke on behalf of the family said Mr Gaine was known for his "incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle".He said Mr Gaine's "incredible" work ethic had been instilled in him by his said he and his wife Janice had a "truly beautiful relationship" and that they loved to be together, "from simple trips to the cinema in Killarney, visits to new restaurants, walks in the National Park, and adventurous holidays abroad". "Janice and Michael's sisters will know better than anyone that Michael had a soft, caring side. In Janice's own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate," said."He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too".Mourners heard Mr Gaine was a keen rally the past week his rallying friends had fixed up the Ford Escort Mark II he used to race and it was used to transport his ashes. Mr Gaine, a sheep and cattle farmer, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on 21 was last seen in the County Kerry town the previous lived in the remote Carrig East area, close to the Molls Gap beauty spot, along the renowned Ring of to RTÉ, in-depth investigations by gardaí ruled out "innocent" explanations, such as a medical event, an accident, or that he left the area voluntarily. A missing person's investigation operates on the basis of consent, but when gardaí announced the re-classification of their investigation, it meant the range of options in front of the investigation team significantly could then get search warrants, clear areas of interest and seize and examine certain items like phones and tissue found in fields and in the farmyard at Mr Gaine's farm on 16 May was later confirmed to be his. His death is being treated as murder.A man in his 50s, who was arrested last Sunday on suspicion of Mr Gaine's murder, was later released without charge. He has denied any involvement in the farmer's disappearance.
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Irish Times
‘Words fail us': Searches continue at Michael Gaine's farm following discovery of partial remains
Flowers and written tributes continue to be placed at the Co Kerry farm where partial remains of missing farmer Michael Gaine were discovered at the weekend. Parish priest Fr George Hayes spoke of how he had offered prayers on Sunday when a coffin was brought to the farm, just outside Kenmare. 'It seemed so incongruous to be praying for Michael in such circumstances on such a beautiful day. When words fail us, all we can do is offer our presence and our prayer to God – that the Lord will strengthen and uphold all who are so heavily burdened at this time,' Fr Hayes said. He added that the parish of Kenmare was keeping Mr Gaine and his family in their thoughts and prayers 'over these harrowing days'. READ MORE In Tralee, condolences were offered to the Gaine family at the May monthly meeting of Kerry County Council. Fine Gael local councillor Teddy O'Sullivan Casey said 'the level of support from the community has been amazing'. Mr O'Sullivan Casey offered his sympathy to Mr Gaine's wife Janice, his two sisters Noreen and Catherine, as well as his close friends in the farming and rallying communities. Brian Hickey and Donal McCarthy, close friends of Mr Gaine, had been helping with heavy machinery at the farm since early on Sunday. They helped carry out the coffin after prayers were said by Fr Hayes at around 6pm. Mr Hickey, who was involved in rallying with Mr Gaine, told Radio Kerry that he and Mr McCarthy had done some 'heavy lifting' at the farm over the weekend before adding that Mr Gaine would have done the same for them. At the farm, on the main Killarney road, search activity involving gardaí remained intense for a third day running on Monday. A screen was set up at around 4.30pm on the eastern end of the large slatted shed where a service truck was positioned. It had been used by workers who specialise in cleaning drains and septic tanks. Also on Monday, 20 Defence Forces personnel from its specialist engineer unit, along with gardaí, searched an area of rough ground within the farm boundary. In a poignant note left at the scene, friends told their 'gentle teddy bear' to rest in peace. 'The beauty of a memory is always there,' the message stated. Flowers and candles were also left at the scene and cars slowed to a crawl as a mark of respect. A man in his 50s was arrested on Sunday in Tralee on suspicion of murder. He continued to be questioned at Killarney Garda station on Monday evening. His arrest came 48 hours after partial human remains were found in slurry being spread on Mr Gaine's land at Carrig East near Kenmare. Gardaí believe Mr Gaine was killed on Thursday, March 20th.
