Posted by Updated / Sunday, 18 May 2025 17:22
Southern Editor
A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of murder by gardaí investigating the disappearance of Kenmare sheep farmer Michael Gaine.
The man was arrested this afternoon, after last night gardaí confirmed that materials found on Mr Gaine’s farm are partial human remains.
The man is being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in Co Kerry and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
Gardaí continue to carry out searches and technical examinations at lands at Carrig East in Kenmare.
Michael Gaine, also known as Mike, has been missing since 20 March.
Initially, his disappearance was treated by gardaí as a missing person’s case.
That changed just over a fortnight ago when gardaí said they were satisfied Mr Gaine was dead and that they had re-classified his disappearance as a homicide investigation.
On Friday night, materials were found in fields close to the farmyard.
Last night came confirmation that these materials were in fact partial human remains.
DNA analysis will be required to confirm identification, but the working assumption is that the partial remains are those of Mr Gaine.
Earlier, members of the Garda Water Unit joined a Garda Technical Bureau team in the investigation into his disappearance.
It is the second time in the eight-and-a-half weeks since Mr Gaine went missing that members of the Garda Water Unit have been brought in to assist the investigation.
The unit provides operational support and search capability to other garda units and outside agencies in marine environments and also in hazardous locations.
Its members are regularly called in for investigations relating to murders and serious crime, missing persons and evidence recovery.
Throughout the day, gardaí have been lifting slatted slabs covering an underground slurry tank in a cow shed in the yard, and sifting through material being taken from the tank.
An excavator is being used in the operation.
A fire truck and a fire and rescue four-wheel drive vehicle also arrived on the farm.
With gases from the slurry, it is a hazardous environment and it is understood that this may be one of the areas where Garda Water Unit members will assist the investigating team.
As the examination of the yard and the fields surrounding it continues, it is understood that gardaí are continuing to find further pieces of human tissue and flesh. These are being gathered for forensic testing.
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