Hundreds pay tribute to Michael Gaine after funeral details announced

Michael Gaine was last seen alive on March 20 and his dismembered body was found on May 16.

More than 800 people have paid tribute to murdered farmer Michael Gaine’s on the page announcing details of his funeral.

It is to be held on Saturday, according to details published yesterday on Rip.ie, in which the 56-year-old was described as “sadly missed and fondly remembered” by his close family including his “heartbroken wife Janice”, sisters, nieces, nephews, brother-in-law and aunt.

In a message directed to his widow, couple Paudie and Carmel Moriarty said: "Janice, our hearts are broken for you on the loss of your beloved Mike.

"He was devoted to you.

"On a personal basis, we are bereft that there will be no more fun chats and laughter on the road or wherever we met Mike.

"His mischievous sense of fun was infectious. When we met him on the road side, we always came away from him laughing.

"Kenmare is all the poorer for his loss."

John O Shea, from Kenmare, spoke of always enjoying his chats with Mr Gaine "about cars, tractors, farming".

A Tony O'Sullivan, in Manhattan, New York, said: "I cannot believe what Mike went through and what you are all going through.

"Mike was a sound man when I was in Kemare - a hard working salt of the earth man.

"He will be missed by you all. Mike rest in eternal peace."

Mr Gaine will repose at Finnegan’s Funeral Home Kenmare on Friday, June 6, from 2pm, with Rosary at 7pm.

He will then be brought to Holy Cross Church, Kenmare at 9.30am on Saturday, June 7, for 10.30am Requiem Mass which will be livestreamed.

Donations, if required, should be made to Kerry Mountain Rescue and Sarda - the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

The notice also thanked the public for their “support and understanding at this extremely difficult time”.

Mr Gaine was last seen alive on March 20, and then reported missing the following day.

Although his disappearance was initially treated as a missing persons case and involved hundreds of volunteers, gardaí, Defence Forces soldiers and search and rescue teams, it was eventually upgraded to a murder inquiry.

This followed the discovery on May 16 of parts of his body by a local contractor spreading slurry from one of the Kerry farmer’s slurry tanks.

Michael Kelley, an American who lived on Mr Gaine's farm for three years, has since been arrested but later released without charge.

A file was not been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to his arrest.