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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A probe into a missing Kerry farmer has been upgraded to a homicide investigation, An Garda Siochana has said.
Gardai said there is a person or people who know what happened to Michael “Mike” Gaine more than five weeks ago.
Mr Gaine, 56, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on Friday March 21.
He was last seen the previous day in Kenmare town buying phone credit in the Centra shop at 9.48am.
In the five weeks since his disappearance, Gardai said they had gathered around 2,200 hours of CCTV and dashcam footage, taken nearly 130 witness statements and carried out over 320 formal jobs/inquiries.
Irish troops and the Garda Water Unit were also involved in search efforts in recent weeks, and checkpoints were held a week after his disappearance to help gather information that would aid the investigation.
“Based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team at Killarney Garda station, An Garda Siochana can confirm today Tuesday, April 29 2025 that this missing person investigation has now been reclassified as a homicide investigation, and a formal criminal investigation has now commenced,” Gardai said in a statement.
Mr Gaine’s family are being kept “fully informed” and have been updated on the announcement of a homicide investigation, gardai said.
Despite carrying out “extensive” inquiries, Mr Gaine’s remains have not been recovered.
“Gardai are seeking information from anyone who can assist us in bringing Michael back to his family.
“There are person or persons who know what happened on the 20th of March 2025.”
Anyone with information they have not yet been able to share with gardai, or did not mention in previous garda statements, is being asked to contact the Garda Investigation Team.
Gardai said they would treat any information received 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 people can speak to a member of their local Garda station.
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