Thursday 29 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. 9767Murder · Co. Kerry

Michael Kelley sent forward for trial over murder of Mike Gaine

Mike Gaine, a 56-year-old farmer, was declared missing on 21 March 2025, and human remains were later found on his lands at Carrig east, County Kerry. Michael Kelley, a 54-year-old US national, is charged with murdering him, with the killing alleged to have happened between 20 and 21 March 2025 on a date unknown. Kelley was first charged on 25 February, made no reply, and has been remanded in custody since, with the investigation upgraded to homicide on 29 April and gardaí confirming the remains on 25 May. The DPP has consented to sending Kelley forward for trial to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court, after the book of evidence was served and he appeared at Tralee District Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michael Kelley is charged with murdering Mike Gaine, aged 56.
  • Mike Gaine was a farmer, and Michael Kelley is described as a 54-year-old US national.
Where
Human remains were found on Gaine's lands at Carrig east, County Kerry.
When
The killing is alleged to have happened on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025.
Investigation
  • Gaine was declared missing on 21 March 2025, prompting a large-scale search.
  • The investigation was upgraded to homicide on 29 April.
  • Gardaí confirmed on 25 May that the remains found were those of the missing farmer.
Charges
Kelley was first charged at his first appearance on 25 February, and made no reply.
In court
  • Kelley has been remanded in custody since his first appearance, appearing by video link from Cork Prison.
  • The book of evidence has been served, and Kelley appeared at Tralee District Court.
  • Sources give the sent-for-trial appearance as 1 May 2026 in one version and 27 May 2026 in another.
  • Kelley was asked whether he understood what an alibi was and said yes, and any alibi must be furnished within 14 days.
  • An application for legal aid for a solicitor and two counsel was granted.
  • The judge said bail was not a matter for the District Court.
Sentence
The DPP has consented to sending Kelley forward for trial to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Kelley is charged with murdering Michael Gaine, aged 56. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereHuman remains were found on Gaine's lands at Carrig east. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe killing is alleged to have happened on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGaine was declared missing on 21 March 2025, prompting a large-scale search. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation was upgraded to homicide on 29 April. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed on 25 May that the remains found were those of the missing farmer. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP has consented to sending Kelley forward for trial to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKelley made no reply when first charged at his first appearance on 25 February. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKelley has been remanded in custody since then, appearing by video link from Cork Prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe book of evidence has now been served and Kelley appeared in court at Tralee District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKelley was asked whether he understood what an alibi was and said yes. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtAny alibi must be furnished within 14 days. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtAn application for legal aid for a solicitor and two counsel was granted. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said bail was not a matter for the District Court. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Mike Gaine murder accused Michael Kelley appears in court and is sent for trial

    Kelley is sent forward for trial after the book of evidence was served. He first appeared on 25 February, was remanded in custody, and the court set an alibi deadline of 14 days and granted legal aid.

    victim, Mike Gaine, 56, irish (judged from name)Mike Gaineaccused, Michael Kelley, 54, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelley