Partial human remains found in search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

Partial human remains have been found in the search for missing Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine.

Searches are ongoing to recover any further human remains, a garda spokesperson said in an update yesterday evening. 

The spokesperson said DNA analysis will be required to carry out formal identification of the recovered human remains.

Earlier yesterday, State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis and members of the Garda Technical Bureau arrived at Mr Gaine’s farmyard close to Kenmare.

Dr Collis and forensic anthropologist Laureen Buckley assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau carried out preliminary examinations in the area which gardaí described as a crime scene.

Yesterday evening a garda spokesperson confirmed that partial human remains had been found.

Mr Gaine, 56, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on Friday, March 21.

He was last seen the previous day in Kenmare town buying phone credit in the Centra shop at 9.48am.

There have been extensive inquiries by gardaí investigating Mr Gaine’s disappearance over the last eight weeks, as well as a public plea for information issued by his wife Janice Gaine and sister Noreen O’Regan.

On April 29 the investigation was reclassified as a homicide.

Garda operations have been under way at the land in Carrig East, Kenmare, since Friday evening.

Gardaí previously said they had gathered around 2,200 hours of CCTV and dashcam footage, taken nearly 130 witness statements and carried out more than 320 formal jobs/inquiries.

Irish troops and the Garda Water Unit were also involved in search efforts in recent weeks, and checkpoints were held a week after Mr Gaine’s disappearance to help gather information that would aid the investigation.