Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3723Murder · Co. Kerry · 20 Mar 2025

Michael Kelley, 54, re-arrested over murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

Michael Kelley, 54, a former US soldier, was arrested for the second time at his home in Tralee, Co Kerry, on 25 February 2026 in connection with the March 2025 murder of farmer Michael Gaine at his farm outside Kenmare. He was being questioned at Castleisland Garda Station by the Kerry Division Serious Crime Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, with the DPP expected to decide whether to charge or release him.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested25 Feb
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Kelley, 54, was arrested at his home in Tralee, Co Kerry, early on Tuesday morning for the second time. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMichael Kelley is a former US soldier. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe murder of farmer Michael Gaine took place at his farm outside Kenmare. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMichael Gaine went missing on 20 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetectives from the Kerry Division Serious Crime Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations are questioning Kelley at Castleisland Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe case was initially treated as a missing persons case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOfficers upgraded the case to homicide on 29 April 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelley's detention period was expected to run out at around 3pm on 25 February 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelley availed of an eight-hour rest period overnight, suspending his detention from midnight to 8am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe DPP was expected to decide whether to charge or release Kelley later that day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMichael Kelley denies any involvement in the death of Michael Gaine. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Feb2026
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Deadline for Gardai to hold Mike Gaine murder suspect Michael Kelley

    Second arrest of Michael Kelley; 8-hour rest period taken overnight; DPP to decide on charging or release; being questioned by Kerry Division Serious Crime Unit and NBCI at Castleisland Garda Station.

    victim, Michael Gaine, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Gainesuspect, Michael Kelley, 54, male, named at arrest, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley