Irish Army to assist Gardaí in search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

Gardaí continue to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 56-year-old Michael Gaine who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry on Friday March 21, 2025.

Michael was last seen in Kenmare town on Thursday March 20, 2025.

Michael bought phone credit in Centra, Kenmare at 9.48am. Michael then left in his bronze coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366. This vehicle was found parked in Michael Gaine’s farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East.

Michael’s family have had no contact from him and his family and An Garda Síochána are extremely concerned for his well-being.

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.

An Garda Síochána has continued to carry out enquiries in the Kenmare locality and searches continued to be carried out over the weekend supported by other state and voluntary agencies in our ongoing efforts to locate Michael.

Commencing today, Irish Defence Forces personnel will be assisting An Garda Síochána. Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny will assist An Garda Síochána in searches on open lands over the coming days.

These lands are rough, open ground and at higher altitude and the experience and discipline of trained personnel is appropriate to assist in carrying out these searches.

An Garda Síochána wishes to thank members of the public who have assisted in searches previously. An Garda Síochána is not requesting the assistance of the general public for further searches, at this time.

However, Gardaí continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday March 20, after 09:48am 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.

Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

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