Michael Gaine: Timeline of investigation and searches for missing Kerry farmer

Case has now been upgraded to a homicide investigation

Michael Gaine was last seen in a Centra shop on the Killarney Road in Kenmare.

The investigation into missing Kerry sheep farmer Michael Gaine was on Tuesday reclassified as a homicide investigation. Here is a timeline of events so far. 

March 20: Michael Gaine is seen in a Centra shop on the Killarney Road in Kenmare.

Shortly before 10am, he bought phone credit and spoke to the till worker.

This is where he was last seen and where the CCTV footage of Mr Gaine was recorded.

He was wearing an orange beanie hat, black fleece, jeans and black boots.

He left in his bronze-coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366. The vehicle was found parked in his farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East.

March 21: Mr Gaine is reported missing from his home.

March 22: An Garda Síochána issue a missing person appeal for Mr Gaine.

He is described as being about 5ft10in tall, with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.

A search begins on his farm at Carrig East, which spans hundreds of acres of land and is surrounded by thousands of acres of rough terrain and mountains.

March 24: Gardaí renew their appeal for information and release the CCTV image of Mr Gaine, which was taken in Centra in Kenmare. 

March 27: One week on from when Mr Gaine was last seen, gardaí issue another appeal for information. They confirm searches were carried out on Mr Gaine's farmland and in the immediate vicinity. 

The searches see slurry tanks being emptied and rougher terrain being searched. Gardaí are assisted by the Civil Defence, Irish Coast Guard, Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team, and Kerry Fire Service

April 1: The Defence Forces arrive in Kerry to assist with the search.

Speaking that day, a Garda spokesperson said: “These lands are rough, open ground and at higher altitude, and the experience and discipline of trained personnel is appropriate to assist in carrying out these searches.”

The Defence Forces deployed both permanent and reserve members from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny, and the 1st Field Engineer Company, Cork.  

Defence Forces personnel were used to search the wooded and marsh areas, utilising their experience, skills and capabilities in mountainous terrain, rugged landscape, and dense forest and undergrowth.

April 29: Gardaí announce the investigation has been upgraded to a homicide investigation, "and a formal criminal investigation has now commenced".

In law, a homicide investigation refers to unlawful killing, with two main categories of murder, which generally requires intention, and manslaughter.

Gardaí said since the first appeal on March 21, the investigation team has:

• Undertaken more than 320 formal jobs/inquiries;
• Taken nearly 130 witness statements; 
• Recovered about 2,200 hours of CCTV/dash cam footage; 
• Conducted extensive searches over the past five weeks.