Man (50s) arrested on suspicion of murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine
By Rebecca Black, PA
A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine.
The 56-year-old was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on March 21st.
Following extensive searches over the last eight weeks, Gardaí confirmed on Saturday that human remains had been discovered.
On Sunday afternoon, Gardaí said a man, who is aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
“The male is being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Kerry Division,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“An Garda Siochana continue to carry out searches and technical examinations at lands at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
“The family of Michael Gaine have been informed of this arrest and An Garda Siochana continues to Michael’s family through a family liaison officer.”
State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis and forensic anthropologist Laureen Buckley, assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau, carried out preliminary examinations in the area that gardai described as a crime scene on Saturday.
Work continued at the site on Sunday in a bid to recover further human remains.
A Garda spokesperson said DNA analysis will be required to carry out formal identification of the recovered human remains.
There have been extensive inquiries by gardai investigating Mr Gaine’s disappearance over the last eight weeks, as well as a public plea for information issued by his wife, Janice Gaine and sister, Noreen O’Regan.
On April 29th, the investigation was reclassified as a homicide.
The Garda spokesperson said officers are continuing to appeal for public assistance in this investigation.
“The Garda investigation team can be ed at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Siochana,” they said.
On Sunday, Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae, said the local community in Kenmare wants answers.
“All we want is answers,” he told RTE’s This Week programme.
“We want to know, and the family want to know. Mike was a very respectable, hardworking, genuine man, a great community person and a person that everybody liked.
“To think that somebody would have this type of event happen to them … we’re all horrified. We’re upset. It is not something that we’re used to in any part of Ireland. But in this locality, we never had a situation like this before.”
He said: “This is a horrific time for the family, for the whole community, the extended friends, relatives and relations. But at the end of the day, at least now the team can work on the evidence that they have found. And we hope and earnestly pray that more answers can be found to all questions that the family and all of us have.”
