Missing person case reclassified as homicide investigation

The investigation into the disappearance of a County Kerry farmer has been reclassified as a homicide investigation.

Michael Gaine, a 56-year-old sheep and cattle farmer, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on Friday, 21 March. He was last seen in Kenmare town the previous day.

He lived in the remote Carrig East area close the Molls Gap beauty spot along the renowned Ring of Kerry.

Mr Gaine’s remains have not been located, despite extensive searches being carried out by An Garda Síocháana (Irish police). However, a formal criminal investigation has now begun, the police have confirmed.

Mr Gaine bought phone credit in a local shop just before 10:00 local time on 20 March and drove away from the town shortly afterwards, police have said.

His vehicle was subsequently found parked at his remote farm, but he could not be found.

Mr Gaine’s disappearance prompted one of the biggest missing person searches in Ireland in recent memory.

The searches have been concentrated around one of Ireland’s leading areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The area around his farmyard was cordoned off by gardaí, shortly after his disappearance, and Mr Gaine’s vehicle was taken away for forensic tests.

Several nearby lakes and a disused quarry were searched, and the Irish Army was eventually called in to help with the searches along the rugged mountainous area around the farm.

Mr Gaine’s home is a short distance away from the farm.

There have also been detailed searches along local scenic roads which are popular with tourists who come to visit the Ring of Kerry.

Teams from the Irish Defence Forces have been deployed to search wooded and marsh areas.

Gardaí have also been using their own Garda Water Unit to search water sources.

Since he was reported missing, gardaí have made more than 320 formal enquiries, taken nearly 130 witness statements and recovered approximately 2,200 hours of CCTV and dash-cam footage.

Based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team at Killarney Garda Station, gardaí issued a statement on Tuesday saying the missing persons investigation was now a homicide inquiry.

Gardaí said they continue to keep Mr Gaine’s family fully informed about the investigation.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information about what happened to Mr Gaine on 20 March to contact their investigation team.

“There are person or persons who know what happened on the 20th of March 2025,” gardaí said in a statement on Tuesday.