Human Remains Found in Fields Near Home of Missing Farmer Michael Gaine
A grim discovery has been made in the search for missing farmer Michael Gaine, with human remains found in multiple fields near his home in Kenmare, Co Kerry. According to the Daily Star, Gardai believe that Mr Gaine was brutally murdered and dismembered, with his body parts scattered across various fields.
The search for Mr Gaine, a 58-year-old sheep farmer, began eight weeks ago when he was reported missing on March 21. Initially, his disappearance was treated as a missing person’s case, but on April 29, the investigation took a darker turn, and it was reclassified as a homicide. The Daily Star reports that Gardai have been scouring fields near Mr Gaine’s residence, and a number of small body parts have been discovered, believed to be the remains of the missing farmer.
A source close to the investigation told the Daily Star, "The belief now is that this tank was then emptied and spread across several fields. All of these fields are being checked and a number of other body parts have been discovered." The Daily Star understands that the search area spans several fields on Mr Gaine’s property, close to the farmyard at Carraig East, roughly 6km from Kenmare.
The farm stretches along the Ring of Kerry road, between Kenmare and Moll’s Gap. State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis and Forensic Anthropologist Laureen Buckley joined members of the Garda Technical Bureau at Mr Gaine’s farm to assist in the investigation. A plot of land near Mr Gaine’s farmyard has been cordoned off as a crime scene, exactly where he vanished eight weeks ago.
Gardai have been working tirelessly to find Mr Gaine, with 320 individual enquiries, almost 130 witness statements, approximately 2,200 hours of CCTV and dashcam footage, and hundreds of acres of farmland searched using drones, specially-trained search and rescue dogs, and cadaver dogs. In a statement, Gardai revealed that operations resumed at lands in Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry on Friday evening, and a crime scene has now been declared.
The investigation is ongoing, with Gardai awaiting test results to confirm if the unearthed remains indeed belong to Mr Gaine. The Daily Star reports that Mr Gaine was officially reported missing on March 21, and his disappearance was met with widespread concern in the community. The discovery of human remains in fields near his home has sent shockwaves through the area, and Gardai are urging anyone with information to come forward.
As the investigation continues, the people of Kenmare and surrounding areas are left to wonder how such a heinous crime could occur in their community. The Daily Star will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
According to the Daily Star, "Gardaí at Killarney Garda Station continue to investigate the disappearance and homicide of Michael Gaine (56), who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co Kerry, on Friday, March 21, 2025."
The Daily Star reported that "The Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to attend the scene. Pending examinations by both the Garda Technical Bureau and the State Pathologist, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide further information at this time."
The Daily Star also reported that the investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow.
