Former US soldier Michael Kelley seeks new barristers before murder trial of Mike Gaine
Michael Gaine, a 56-year-old sheep farmer, was reported missing from his home in Co Kerry on 21 March 2025, and his remains were later identified on his farm at Carrig, Kenmare. Michael Kelley, a 54-year-old former US soldier from Maine with no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry, is charged with a single count of murdering Gaine on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025. The case was upgraded to homicide in April 2025, and Kelley was sent forward for trial in Dublin in May 2026. At a pre-trial hearing in October 2026, defence counsel applied to withdraw, and the trial is set for 11 January 2027 at the Central Criminal Court, with a case management review scheduled for 23 October 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Oct
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Gaine, a 56-year-old sheep farmer, was murdered at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
- Michael Kelley, a 54-year-old former US soldier from Maine, is charged with a single count of murdering Gaine.
- Where
- The murder is alleged to have taken place at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
- When
- The murder is alleged to have occurred on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025.
- Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025.
- Investigation
- The case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025, and Gaine's remains were identified on his farm at Carrig in May 2025.
- Charges
- Kelley is charged with a single count of murdering Michael Gaine.
- In court
- Kelley was sent forward for trial in Dublin in May 2026 after being served with the book of evidence.
- The trial is set for 11 January 2027 at the Central Criminal Court, with 191 witnesses and an estimated duration of up to nine weeks.
- At a pre-trial hearing in October 2026, defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC applied to withdraw under the Legal Services Regulation Act, and Judge Paul McDermott set a case management review for 23 October 2026.
- Other details
- Kelley is a native of Maine in the US and has no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry.
34 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Kelley is a former US soldier (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Kelley is 54 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMichael Kelley is a native of Maine in the US (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMichael Gaine was 56 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMichael Gaine was a sheep farmer in Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMichael Kelley has no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKelley has no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on a date unknown between March 20 and 21, 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have occurred on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMike Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA large-scale search of Gaine's farm and surrounding areas was launched after he went missing (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationRemains found on Gaine's farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as his (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025, almost six weeks after Gaine went missing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRemains found on Gaine's farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as those of Mike Gaine. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMichael Kelley is charged with a single count of murdering Michael Gaine (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKelley is charged with a single count of murdering Mike Gaine at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Kelley was sent forward for trial in Dublin in May 2026 after being served with the book of evidence (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is set for 11 January 2027 at the Central Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case is estimated to last up to nine weeks (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence counsel Brendan Grehan SC applied to withdraw from the case under the Legal Services Regulation Act (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSolicitor Frank Buttimer will remain in the case (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Paul McDermott set a case management review for 23 October 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtKelley was sent forward for trial in Dublin in May 2026 after being served with the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKelley is expected to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court on 11 January 2027. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThere are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence and the case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence counsel Brendan Grehan applied to the court under the Legal Services Regulation Act for permission to withdraw from the case. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKelley appeared via video-link at the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul McDermott listed the matter for a case management review on 23 October 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelley is a native of Maine in the US. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMike Gaine was a Co Kerry sheep farmer. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Oct2026Former US soldier charged with murdering Mike Gaine wants new barristers, court told
Pre-trial hearing at the Central Criminal Court where defence counsel Brendan Grehan applied to withdraw under the Legal Services Regulation Act at Kelley's request; DPP confirmed disclosure is at an advanced stage; case management review set for 23 October 2026; trial date of 11 January 2027 confirmed.
victim, Mike Gaine, 56, male, irish (judged from name)Mike Gaineaccused, Michael Kelley, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley - 9 Oct2026Man charged with murder of Michael Gaine as he appears in court via video link
Reports a case management hearing at the Central Criminal Court where defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC and Richard Liston BL applied to withdraw under the Legal Services Regulation Act, solicitor Frank Buttimer will remain, and the judge listed a new case management review for 23 October 2026. The trial date of 11 January 2027 was confirmed. Also provides background: Gaine was reported missing 21 March 2025, the case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025, and his remains were identified on his farm at Carrig in May 2025.
accused, Michael Kelley, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelleyvictim, Michael Gaine, 56, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Gaine