Gardaí say they're not any closer to locating Kenmare farmer missing for three weeks

As the search for Michael Gaine, the farmer who was reported missing in Kenmare, Co Kerry on Friday, March 21, continues, Gardaí admit they are no closer to locating him.

Garda Superintendent David O'Callaghan delivered an update on the search for Michael Gaine at Kenmare Garda Station in Co Kerry today, Friday, April 11 - three weeks to the day since the 56-year-old farmer was reported missing.

Missing person's investigation

Speaking with reporters after delivering his update, O'Callaghan said: “We have done 230 jobs or inquiries from information gained, 100 statements we have taken, and to date, we have not located Michael Gaine."

O’Callaghan added that every lead is important, "one isn't as important as the next."

When asked if it’s possible that Michael is still alive, O’Callaghan said: “Well, as I said, we haven't recovered Michael.

"I mean, this is a missing person's investigation.

“So, I would appeal that if he is alive, that he would contact someone, or that if anyone knows that he's alive or knows his whereabouts, to make contact with An Garda Síochána."

O'Callaghan added: “I would appeal to those that may think that the information they have is insignificant to contact us.

"While they may think it's insignificant it may be significant to us.

“And I would appeal to those people that haven't contacted the incident room at Killarney Garda Station to date, I would urge them to come forward and to to contact us.”

"We’re not any closer to finding him than we were"

RTÉ News reports that O'Callaghan further told reporters that the search for Michael Gaine is possibly "one of the largest" gardaí have conducted in the Kerry division in recent times.

"That’s illustrated by the volume of support we’ve received from other agencies," O'Callaghan said.

He added: "The search is continuing, and it will continue through the weekend and into next week. That’s reviewed on a daily basis from the incident room.

"To say that we are still searching highlights the mystery about Michael Gaine’s whereabouts and that’s challenging.

"We’re not any closer to finding him than we were."

Rumors and speculation

According to RTÉ News, O’Callaghan declined - for operational reasons - to give details on reports of a number of items, believed to be hunting equipment, which were found in a rocky location a week ago.

"Items were discovered, and we have taken them into our possession," O'Callaghan told reporters.

"I’m not going to comment on the relevance, if any, in relation to the whereabouts of Michael Gaine.

"It’s well documented that his vehicles were seized and taken to be examined and other items. I’m not going to be specific in relation to the items."

He added: "I am aware of the rumors and speculation that are widespread in the community, and I don’t think it would be suitable for me to add to that rumor and speculation and that aspect is of no assistance to any ongoing investigation and I don’t wish to add to that."

O'Callaghan said that Michael's family, who remain "extremely concerned," have asked for privacy.

"It’s a very difficult time in relation to the fact that we are not in any way closer to locating Michael Gaine or his whereabouts and that’s very challenging for them," O'Callaghan said.

O'Callaghan's update comes the day after An Garda Síochána continued to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Michael.

Michael was last seen in Kenmare town in Co Kerry on Thursday, March 20, and was reported missing the following day.

CCTV footage from March 20 showed Michael buying phone credit in Centra, Kenmare at 9:48 am. He then left in his bronze-colored RAV4, registration 152 KY 366, which has since been found parked in his farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East.

Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair, and a bushy beard.

When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans, and black boots.

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Michael Gaine, pictured here in Centra in Kenmare, Co Kerry on Thursday, March 20. (An Garda Síochána)

Gardaí continue to want to speak to any person who traveled on the N71 on Thursday, March 20 after 9:48 am and / or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21 in the Kenmare town / Moll’s Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.

An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who may have any information on Michael's whereabouts to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.