Michael Gaine's missing person case turns into homicide investigation

In late March 2025, Michael Gaine, a 56-year-old sheep and cattle farmer from County Kerry, Ireland, was reported missing after he was last seen in Kenmare town on March 20. His disappearance sparked extensive search operations, marking one of the largest missing person searches in recent Irish history. Despite these efforts, including searches conducted by the Irish Defence Forces and the An Garda Síochána, Mr. Gaine's remains were not located. Subsequently, on March 25, authorities announced that the investigation into his disappearance had been officially reclassified as a homicide inquiry. The change in status indicated the investigators' belief that foul play may have occurred. Since Mr. Gaine was reported missing, the Gardaí conducted a thorough investigation, which included over 320 formal inquiries and nearly 130 witness statements. They recovered approximately 2,200 hours of CCTV and dash-cam footage as part of their efforts to piece together what happened on the day Mr. Gaine went missing. Family members, including Mrs. Gaine, expressed their devastation at the situation, emphasizing that Michael's behavior prior to his disappearance was out of character. They sought answers about his fate, stressing the emotional toll this has taken on them. The Gardaí appealed to the public for any information regarding Mr. Gaine's activities on March 20, underlining the urgency of finding those who might have knowledge about the case, while continuing to keep the family informed about the ongoing investigation.