Gardaí scrap chainsaw theory in Michael Gaine murder investigation
Michael Gaine, a man from Kenmare, Kerry, vanished on 20 March 2025 and his remains were later found in a slurry tank on his land. US citizen and former soldier Michael Kelley, who resides in council accommodation in Tralee, was arrested on 18 May 2025 and released without charge the following day; he remains the chief suspect and has repeatedly denied involvement. Over 200 volunteers searched for Gaine, and a review was ordered by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris after officers initially missed the remains in the slurry tank. On 15 August 2025, Gardaí abandoned the theory that a chainsaw was used to dismember the remains, saying they now believe multiple bladed weapons were used, a development Kelley refused to comment on.
- Reported15 Aug
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Gaine, a man from Kenmare, Kerry, vanished on 20 March 2025 and his remains were later found in a slurry tank on his land.
- Gardaí have moved away from the theory that a chainsaw was used to dismember the remains, now believing multiple bladed weapons were used.
- The killer made efforts to cover their tracks.
- Where
- Gaine's last sighting was on CCTV at a Centra in Kenmare where he was purchasing phone credit.
- Michael Kelley resides in council accommodation in Tralee town.
- When
- Michael Kelley was arrested on 18 May 2025 and released without charge the following day.
- Investigation
- Over 200 volunteers were involved in the search for Gaine.
- Officers had previously searched the slurry tank weeks before finding the remains.
- A review of the case was ordered by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris after it appeared gardai initially missed the remains in the slurry tank.
- Other details
- Michael Kelley is a US citizen and former soldier who remains the chief suspect and has repeatedly denied involvement.
- The investigation has been ongoing for almost five months without clear answers.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí have moved away from the theory that a chainsaw was used to dismember Gaine's remains (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDetectives believe multiple bladed weapons were used to cut up the remains (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe killer made efforts to cover their tracks (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí initially believed a chainsaw seized from the scene was used to dismember the remains (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOfficers had previously searched the slurry tank weeks before finding the remains (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelley is a US citizen and former soldier (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA review of the case was ordered by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe review was ordered after it appeared gardai initially missed the remains in the slurry tank (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe investigation has been ongoing for almost five months without clear answers (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOver 200 volunteers were involved in the search for Gaine (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelley remains the chief suspect and has repeatedly denied involvement (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKelley is residing in council accommodation in Tralee town (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGaine's last sighting was on CCTV at a Centra in Kenmare where he was purchasing phone credit (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Kelley was arrested on 18 May 2025 and released without charge the following day (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Gaine vanished on 20 March 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Aug2025Michael Gaine murder suspect has nothing to say as gardai scrap chainsaw theory
Gardaí have abandoned the chainsaw theory in favour of multiple bladed weapons; a review of the investigation was ordered by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris after the remains were initially missed in the slurry tank. The probe has been ongoing for almost five months without clear answers.
victim, Michael Gaine, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Gainesuspect, Michael Kelley, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley