Gardaí have reclassified their investigation into missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaines from a disappearance to a homicide.
Mr Gaine was last seen in Kenmare, near his home, on March 20th and was reported to Gardaí as missing the following day.
Yesterday, Gardaí announced a formal criminal probe was now underway.
“This has happened before where a person has vanished, no trace of them has been found and their remains, obviously, haven’t been found as well,” Irish Times Crime & Security Editor Conor Lally told Newstalk Breakfast.
“I suppose what is unusual here is that the case has been upgraded so quickly.”
Last known footage of Michael Gaine.Mr Lally that the “signs were there from the outset” that Gardaí thought a crime might have been committed.
“We saw Michael Gaine’s car being taken away within two-days of him being reported to the Gardaí,” he said.
“That was taken away for examination; we saw the slurry pit on his farmyard also being searched.
“Really Gardaí don’t undertake those kind of tactics in a case unless really they feel that the disappearance of the person is extremely sudden, very much out of character and that foul play could be a factor.
“So, Gardaí really have been saying off the record from the outset that they were factoring in the possibility that foul play was a factor.”
Gardaí speaking to motorists in the investigation into the missing Michael Gaine. 27/03/2025 Image: Jamie O'Hara/Bauer MediaGardaí have carried out an extensive search of Mr Gaine’s farm, reviewed 2,200 hours of CCTV and dash cam footage and taken close to 130 witness statements.
They still hope to speak to someone who knows what happens to Mr Gaine.
“Really, as they’ve gone through all of that evidence very extensively, they found no evidence that he’s alive,” Mr Lally said.
“And no plausible explanation that he may have taken himself out [and had an accident].”
Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Killarney Garda Station.
Main image: Michael Gaines. Image: Garda Press Office.
