Michael Gaine — Gardaí have not indicated foul play 'as of yet'

At AGSI conference, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan appeals for information about farmer last seen in Kenmare Centra on March 20

Inspector Tim O'Keeffe and Supt John Ryan and members of the Defence Forces searching for Michael Gaine at his farmyard at Carrig East near Moll's Gap in Co Kerry. Picture: Dan Linehan

Gardaí have not indicated foul play to justice minister Jim O'Callaghan "as of yet" in relation to the disappearance of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine.

However, Jim O’Callaghan said he is “concerned” about the missing man.

Mr O’Callaghan said he was briefed this morning, Monday, about the case at Castleisland Garda Station in Kerry.

“I have been provided with a confidential briefing in terms of what the gardaí are doing in terms of searching for Michael Gaine.

On Saturday, Superintendent Dave Callaghan, Kenmare, appealed to sheep farmer Michael Gaine to get in touch, or to others to help finding him. File picture

“I just want to ask anyone who has any information in respect of his whereabouts to bring that information to An Garda Síochána.” 

Michael Gaine, 56, was last seen shortly before 10am, on Thursday, March 20, when he walked into a Centra store in Kenmare to buy phone credit.

He was reportedly seen later that day in the Kerry town but his trip to Centra was the last confirmed public sighting of him.

The sheep farmer is still missing but the county-wide search remains a missing person inquiry rather than a murder investigation.

“It is a matter of concern to me that Michael Gaine has not yet been found,” Mr O’Callaghan said at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors annual conference in Killarney.

"I know it is a matter of concern also to his family and people in that area of Kerry.

I know the gardaí and indeed the army are doing a huge amount of work in terms of trying to facilitate the search for Michael Gaine but I have been kept updated in respect of it. 

He said he does not believe that the public had a right to know whether foul play was suspected in the case.

“I think the gardaí have an entitlement to conduct the inquiry in the thorough and careful manner in which they have conducted it to date,” Mr O’Callaghan said.