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. 9299Murder · Co. Kerry

Trial date set for Michael Kelley over murder of Kerry farmer Mike Gaine

Kerry farmer Micheal 'Mike' Gaine was reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025, and the murder is alleged to have happened at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, between 20 and 21 March 2025. The case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025, and remains found on his farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as his. Michael Kelley, a native of Maine in the US with no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry, was charged with a single count of murdering Mr Gaine, sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court and is in custody in Cork Prison. Mr Justice McDermott set a trial date of 11 January 2027 in Dublin, with case management on 9 October and disclosure to be completed by then.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael Kelley is charged with a single count of murdering Mr Gaine.
Other details
  • The victim, Micheal 'Mike' Gaine, was a Kerry farmer.
  • Kelley is a native of Maine in the US and of no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Where
The murder is alleged to have happened at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
When
The date of the alleged murder is unknown but was between 20 and 21 March 2025.
Investigation
  • Mr Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025, prompting a large-scale search of his farm and surrounding areas.
  • The case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April 2025.
  • Remains found on his farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as those of Mr Gaine.
  • There are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence.
In court
  • Kelley was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court after being served with the book of evidence, which the report dates to last month.
  • The accused is in custody in Cork Prison.
  • The accused has changed solicitor, according to the report.
  • The case is estimated to last up to nine weeks.
  • Mr Justice McDermott set a trial date of 11 January 2027 in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
  • The case is listed for case management on 9 October, and all disclosure should be completed by then.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKelley is charged with a single count of murdering Mr Gaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe murder is alleged to have happened at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe date of the alleged murder is unknown but was between 20 and 21 March 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThere are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationMr Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025, prompting a large-scale search of his farm and surrounding areas. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationOn 29 April 2025 the case was upgraded to homicide. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationRemains found on his farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as those of Mr Gaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKelley was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court last month after being served with the book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused is in custody in Cork Prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice McDermott set a trial date for 11 January 2027 in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case is listed for case management on 9 October, and all disclosure should be completed by then. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKelley is a native of Maine in the US and of no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Almost 200 witnesses involved in Mike Gaine murder case as trial date set

    Reports the Central Criminal Court trial date of 11 January 2027, the 191 witnesses in the book of evidence, a change of solicitor for the accused, and the case management date of 9 October. Gives background on the missing-person report, upgrade to homicide and identification of remains.

    accused, Michael Kelley, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Kelleyvictim, Micheal 'Mike' Gaine, 56, male, irish (judged from name)Micheal 'Mike' Gaine