Michael Gaine case: What we know so far after suspect released without charge

The investigation into the disappearance and killing of Michael Gaine took a turn last weekend when suspected human remains were found on his farm in Co Kerry. A man in his 50s was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of the murder of Mr Gaine, before being released without charge on Monday night. The Garda investigation has reached no firm conclusions, with no cause of death or motive for the killing established. There is also no evidence at this point that could be used to underpin a criminal charge against anyone in relation to the death, which is assumed to have been a murder. Here is everything we know so far about the two-month search for answers in the case. Disappearance Michael Gaine (56) was last seen in Kenmare on Thursday, March 20th, and was reported missing the following day. His bronze Toyota Rav4 was discovered in his farmyard – off the N71 at Carrig East – with his wallet and phone inside. A screenshot of CCTV footage showing Michael Gaine in a Centra shop in Kenmare Mr Gaine visited a Centra shop in Kenmare on the morning of his disappearance and it is assumed, though unproven, that he drove his car from Kenmare to his farm yard. He was wearing a distinctive orange woolly hat, a black fleece, blue jeans and black boots. Out of character Mr Gaine's disappearance was so sudden and out of character that gardaí suspected foul play from the outset. This led to several resources becoming available for the search. Jason Fleming, chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association in Kerry, told Radio Kerry that Mr Gaine was a “sheep and beef farmer, and a great one at that”, adding many members of the association were concerned and had joined the search for him. Michael Gaine Speaking to The Irish Times, local councillor Dan McCarthy said: “He would be well-known as a farmer. The family would be farming all their lives. “He was in the shop every morning for a cup of tea and a chat. And he’s like a big brother to my son." Gardaí had no indication Mr Gaine was vulnerable or at risk in any way. Search Investigators carried out initial searches on Mr Gaine's farmland and in the immediate vicinity. Gardaí said slurry tanks were emptied and rougher terrain was searched. Officers were assisted by the Civil Defence, Irish Coast Guard, Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team and the Kerry Fire Service. Part of Michael Gaine's farmland in Co Kerry. Photo: Noel Sweeney/PA The Defence Forces arrived in Co Kerry at the beginning of April to assist with the search on rough, open ground and at higher altitude. Army staff were used to search wooded and marsh areas, using their experience on difficult terrain. Case upgraded On April 29th, almost six weeks after Mr Gaine vanished, the case was upgraded to a homicide inquiry. Gardaí said that “based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team” a decision had been made to reclassify the missing person inquiry. Family's appeal Mr Gaine’s wife, Janice, issued an appeal on April 30th in which she said her husband’s disappearance had been “devastating”. She urged anyone with information to contact gardaí. “He loved his home. He loved his farm,” Mrs Gaine said. “He loved animals. He loved rallying. He had lots of friends. He was a very popular guy. His disappearance is totally out of character, we knew that from day one.” She added: “We just want Michael to come home. We want to know what happened to him because, if we can’t find Michael, I just don’t know what I’m going to do.” Mr Gaine’s sister, Noreen O’Regan, also appeared in the video appeal. “We are absolutely heartbroken at what has happened. We are devastated; our lives are shattered. We want answers,” she said. Dashcam and CCTV footage In early May gardaí were trawling through hours of video footage in an attempt to determine if Mr Gaine got into a vehicle at his farm and was driven off by someone he knew. Despite extensive investigations, no evidence of violence or a struggle had been discovered. Forensic testing of Mr Gaine’s car, which was parked in the farmyard, also yielded no traces of blood or any other evidence that suggested he had been attacked. Garda sources told The Irish Times that the remote location of Mr Gaine’s farm, on the road between Kenmare and Moll’s Gap, made the investigation harder because of the lack of CCTV and other cameras in the area. Human body parts found Partial human remains were discovered on Mr Gaine's farm on the evening of Friday, May 17th. Gardaí were alerted to the find by a family member and two neighbours after they began spreading slurry they had drained from a tank. A member of Garda Technical Unit at the scene in Carrig East, Kenmare. Photo: Noel Sweeney/PA The discovery was made at about 6pm on Friday. Gardaí immediately designated the slurry tank and the two well-kept fields where the slurry was spread, close to the farmstead, as a crime scene. State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis and forensic anthropologist Laureen Buckley, assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau, carried out examinations at the scene on Saturday, May 17th. The suspected body parts are going under DNA analysis to confirm if they are those of Mr Gaine. Searches at the site are continuing, with investigators recovering more body parts including both tissue and bone. Arrest A man in his 50s, who was known to Mr Gaine, was arrested on Sunday, May 18th, on suspicion of murder. He was held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and questioned for 24 hours. The man was then released without charge on Monday night. According to The Irish Times, the individual is free to leave Ireland and has an extensive support network in another country where he previously lived. A member of Garda Technical Unit at the scene in Carrig East, Kenmare. Photo: Noel Sweeney/PA Garda sources said the murder investigation would be much more difficult if the man relocated abroad, as he could not be called for questioning if further evidence is gathered. If he moved abroad again, he could only be extradited to Ireland if charges against him were approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Garda Press Office statement issued on his release made no mention of a file being sent to the DPP, suggesting that gardaí face a challenge in making any case against the man. Chainsaw Ireland Man arrested over murder of Michael Gaine released... After finding dismembered body parts in a slurry tank, gardaí recovered a chainsaw from Mr Gaine's farmyard and sent it for forensic analysis. Investigators suspect a chainsaw may have been used to dismember Mr Gaine’s body after he was murdered. The chainsaw was discovered hidden in the farmyard and brought to Forensic Science Ireland’s laboratory in Dublin this week for examination to see if any DNA evidence could be obtained. Garda technical experts have been examining the concrete slats in the cowshed to see if they bear any signs of being damaged by a chainsaw, according to The Irish Times.

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