Man arrested on suspicion of farmer Michael Gaine’s murder released without charge

Garda members and the army about to search a field near a narrow road off the N71 just before the farm of Michael Gaine at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan

A man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Michael “Mike” Gaine has been released without charge. 

Mr Gaine, a 56-year-old sheep farmer with land near Kenmare in Co Kerry, was reported missing from his home more than eight weeks ago.

On Saturday, partial remains were found at Mr Gaine’s farm in Carrig East, and a crime scene was declared as gardaí searched for further remains.

On Sunday, a man aged in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of Mr Gaine’s murder.

In an update, the man being questioned by gardaí in relation to Mr Gaine's death was released without charge on Monday night. 

Garda members digging near the cattle sheds on the farm of Michael Gaine at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry. Picture: Dan Linehan

The search and examination of Mr Gaine’s farmland continued on Monday, with fire services and soldiers supporting Garda efforts.

Kerry Drain Services' machinery was also at the scene.

The Defence Forces said members of its Engineer Specialist Search Team were assisting gardaí in Kenmare but would not comment further while the operation was ongoing.

Several personnel were seen digging lands near a barn on Monday afternoon.

Flowers, candles and notes offering condolences to the Gaine family have been left around a wooden post at the entrance to the farm, with a grey woollen cap left on top.

Several tourists stopped briefly to look at the search operation as they passed by the farm, located along the scenic Ring of Kerry route.

Kenmare local Rory O’Connor said Mr Gaine’s death had “cast a pall” over the area, especially the close-knit farming community.

“It has cast a shadow over the area,” he told the PA news agency as he looked at flowers left for the sheep farmer.

Mr Gaine was last seen on the morning of March 20 in Kenmare town buying phone credit in the Centra shop.

Several appeals were issued and extensive searches involving Irish soldiers, the Garda water unit and road checkpoints were held to try to find the missing man.

Army walking throung a farm where they started a search 1km below Michael Gain's farm at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan

Around 2,200 hours of CCTV and dashcam footage and 130 witness statements were taken by the end of April.

Mr Gaine’s wife Janice and sister Noreen O’Regan issued a plea at that time, via gardaí, saying his disappearance was out of character and they wanted to know what happened to him.