Gardaí carry out checkpoints in Kenmare in search for missing Kerry farmer
Olivia Kelleher
Gardaí are carrying out checkpoints in Kenmare in Co Kerry on Thursday in a bid to obtain information as the week long search for missing farmer Michael “Mike” Gaine continues.
At a media briefing in Kenmare on Thursday morning, gardaí reiterated their appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the 56-year-old.
Mr Gaine was last seen in Kenmare town on March 20th last when he bought phone credit in a branch of Centra shortly before 10am.
Michael then left in his Bronze coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366. This vehicle was found parked in his farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East. Gardaí and the family of the missing man are “very concerned” for his welfare.
Searches have been carried out at Michael’s farmyard and in the immediate vicinity. Gardaí wish to thank of the public who assisted in carrying out searches on open land last weekend.
However, they are not requesting the assistance of the general public for further searches, at this time.
“However, Gardaí continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday 20th March and/ or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday 20th March and Friday 21st March in the Kenmare town / Moll’s Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.”
Meanwhile, the search for the missing man, which is being carried out by the local Civil Defence and of Kerry Mountain Rescue resumed on Thursday morning.
Divers from the Garda Water Unit searched a quarry close the home of the missing man on Wednesday.
They also carried out a search of Barnifinnihy Lake which is in the region of a kilometre from the summit of Moll’s Gap. Slurry tanks at the farmyard of the missing man in Carrig East in Kenmare have also been emptied.
Cllr Teddy O’Sullivan Casey (FG) told Radio Kerry that Mr Gaine is very well liked and respected in the local community.
“It has been a very tough few days. You can only imagine the torture his wife Janice and his sisters and their families are going through at the moment and our thoughts and prayers are with them all. All we can do really is hope and pray that there will be a positive outcome.
A large search started immediately after word went out that he was missing. Mike was always there. He was big in to his farming and machinery. He was always in good form and he was always there to help people. When the call came people had no hesitation in helping out.
Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.
When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.
Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
