LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

A MAN HAS been charged over the death of Kenmare farmer Michael Gaine.

The man, aged in his 50s, was detained by gardaí yesterday morning and was held at a garda station in Castleisland, some 22 kilometres from Tralee where the suspect will appear. 

Michael ‘Mike’ Gaine (56) was first reported missing almost a year ago on 21 March 2025.

Gardaí said in a statement: “A man, aged in his 50s, who was arrested as part of this investigation will appear before a sitting of Tralee District Court this afternoon, charged in connection with this investigation.”

Gardaí had suspected that he was killed from early in the investigation and had carried out extensive searches. Those searches, which also involved members of the Defence Forces and voluntary groups in the area, proved fruitless.

In May, 2025 gardaí confirmed that they had discovered partial human remains at the missing man’s farm. 

The body parts were found when slurry was being spread across a field.

Michael Gaine’s funeral was held in June 2025, when crowds heard that he was a loving relative, a proud Kerry man “and an even prouder Kenmare man”.