Ireland Case No. 4196Murder · Co. Kerry · 20 Mar 2025
Memorial gathering held for murdered Kerry farmer Michael Gaine
A gathering to remember murdered Kerry farmer Michael Gaine was held at Kenmare Golf Club on 3 January 2026. Gaine vanished on 20 March 2025 and his dismembered remains were found in a tank on his farm at Carrig East on 16 May 2025; no one has been charged in connection with his murder.
- Reported3 Jan
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Gaine's dismembered remains were discovered in a tank on his land. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
- whatA slurry spreader jammed, prompting officers to re-search the tank where further remains were found. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
- whereHis last sighting was on CCTV in a Centra in Kenmare where he was purchasing phone credit. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
- whereHis remains were discovered on the farm at Carrig East on Friday 16 May 2025 (corkbeo.ie)
- whenHe vanished on 20 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
- investigationOver 200 volunteers took part in a search of the land and surrounding areas. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda helicopter, multiple officers, the Coast Guard, Civil Defence and members of the Defence Forces participated in the search. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFormer US soldier Michael Kelley, who lived on the farm, was arrested and released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOver 200 volunteers participated in a massive search of the land and surrounding areas (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe Garda helicopter, multiple officers, the Coast Guard, Civil Defence and members of the Defence Forces all participated in the search (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationNobody has ever been charged in relation to the murder of Michael Gaine (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationMichael Kelley was arrested and released without charge (corkbeo.ie)
- otherHis wife Janice Gaine declared him missing the day after he failed to return home. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo one has been charged in relation to the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe memorial event was held at 8pm at the Kenmare Golf Club. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHis wife Janice Gaine declared him missing the following day (corkbeo.ie)
- otherFormer US soldier Michael Kelley lived on the farm (corkbeo.ie)
- otherIn November, pictures of Kelley's secret camp in nearby woodland were shared (corkbeo.ie)
- otherA memorial gathering was held at Kenmare Golf Club at 8pm on 3 January 2026 (corkbeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Jan2026Murdered Kerry farmer Michael Gaine to be remembered at gathering tonight
Reports on a memorial gathering for Michael Gaine and provides background: his last CCTV sighting in Kenmare, the large-scale search, the discovery of his remains in a slurry tank, and that former US soldier Michael Kelley was arrested and released without charge.
victim, Michael Gaine, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Gainesuspect, Michael Kelley, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley - 3 Jan2026Murdered farmer Michael Gaine will be remembered at gathering in Kerry
Reports on a memorial gathering for Michael Gaine and provides background on the search, the discovery of his remains, and the arrest and release without charge of former US soldier Michael Kelley.
victim, Michael Gaine, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Gainesuspect, Michael Kelley, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley