Police in the Republic of Ireland have located remains in the search for missing farmer Michael Gaine – body parts, which are yet to be identified, were found chopped up and dumped in a slurry tank
Police believe a body was chopped up and dumped in a slurry tank before the tank was emptied and spread across several fields. Cops in County Kerry, the Republic of Ireland, said DNA analysis will be required to carry out formal identification of the recovered human remains, following the disappearance of farmer Michael Gaine.
“The belief now is that this tank was then emptied and spread across several fields,” a source told the Irish Mirror. “All of these fields are being checked and a number of other body parts have been discovered.”
The area being searched is understood to be a number of fields on the missing farmer’s land, just under four miles from the town of Kenmare. Mr Gaine, 56, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on Friday, March 21. He was last seen the previous day in Kenmare town buying phone credit in the Centra shop at 9:48am.
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 29 the investigation was reclassified as a homicide.
Garda operations have been under way at the land in Carrig East, Kenmare, since Friday evening. Gardai previously said they had gathered around 2,200 hours of CCTV and dashcam footage, taken nearly 130 witness statements and carried out more than 320 formal jobsor inquiries.
Earlier on Saturday State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis and members of the Garda Technical Bureau arrived at Mr Gaine’s farmyard close to Kenmare. Dr Collis and forensic anthropologist Laureen Buckley assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau carried out preliminary examinations in the area which gardai described as a crime scene.
Irish troops and the Garda Water Unit were also involved in search efforts in recent weeks, and checkpoints were held a week after Mr Gaine’s disappearance to help gather information that would aid the investigation
Police said in a statement issued on Saturday morning: “Gardaí at Killarney Garda Station continue to investigate the disappearance and homicide of Michael Gaine, who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co Kerry, on Friday, March 21, 2025.
“As part of the investigation, operations resumed at lands in Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry on Friday evening and a crime scene has now been declared. 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 investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow.”