Michael Gaine was remembered as a loving relative and proud Kerry man as he was laid to rest this week.
Mourners gathered in their droves at Holy Cross Church in Kenmare on Saturday to pay their respects to the farmer and to support his family.
Mr Gaine’s remains were discovered late last month as slurry spreading was being undertaken on his land, leading to a murder investigation.
Mr Gaine, 56, was last seen on March 20 when he purchased phone credit in the local Centra shop in Kenmare.
His disappearance prompted an extensive search, and his remains were found weeks later on his farm.
His remains were brought into the church in a wood box topped with sheep’s wool, with Mr Gaine’s cousin Eoghan Clarke remembering him as a ‘proud Kerry man and an even prouder Kenmare man.’
Mr Clarke spoke of how his cousin was known for his incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle. He also spoke of his passion for rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays and music.
‘As we all know, Michael was generous. Incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time and any place,’ he added.
‘Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself.
Michael Gaine. (An Garda Síochána)
‘He loved life, he always made the most of it and he truly lived every single moment. Whether you met him during lambing or while on a trip away to a car show or rally event, he always had the iconic twinkle in his eye – the “I’m delighted to see you”, “I’m in great form”, “let’s go and enjoy ourselves” glint in his eye.’
While Michael was remembered as a salt of the earth man, Mr Clarke gave mourners an insight into his softer side.
‘Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong,’ he said.
‘We will all miss Michael terribly. I know I’ll miss our phone calls the most, as well as that happy feeling that Michael gave you when you were with him.
‘He was always the glue that held the Rally of the Lakes weekend together and I will always look back very fondly on our adventures to the best spectating spots in Kerry.’
He also spoke of Michael’s love for his wife Janice, and how they truly put each other first in life.
‘It always struck me how loving Michael was with Janice and how they both spent not just time but quality time together. They enjoyed one another’s company in every scenario, from simple trips to the cinema in Killarney, visits to new restaurants to try new cuisine, walks in the National Park, and adventurous holidays abroad – where inevitably, Michael would meet someone he knew and strike up a conversation.’
Symbols of Michael’s life which were brought to the altar included; a photo of Mike on his quad on his 1000-acre farm, a photo of Mike on holidays, up a photo of the globe, a photo of Mike and Janice’s wedding, a CD and a photo of Mike and his rally car.
Most poignantly, Michael’s family friend brought up a photo of Saint Michael the Archangel, which symbolises divine protection and strength and who was a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil.
‘He is considered a champion of justice. Mike Gaine was a strong character who loved people and their stories. He was generous and big-hearted and never refused to assist anyone who needed help. He saw good in everyone and always stood up for justice. Like Saint Michael there was not an evil bone in Mike Gaine’s body,’ he added.
Father George Hayes spoke of the pain that embroiled Kenmare in the days following Michael’s disappearance.
‘Neidín, Ceann Mara, Kenmare is a place of enchanting beauty. The soft green hills protect us from the winter gales. Kenmare bay sparkles with the cleanest of water. Moss and ferns grow under our feet. As you drive toward Moll’s Gap from Killarney, on a summer evening, the mountains captivate you as they seem to be stacked behind each other.
‘And into this, our peaceful, idyllic, sylvan existence, something terrible has come. We are discommoded and feel at a loss. Over these weeks, since Michael went missing, we have asked so many questions – and, in life, sometimes, there are no answers,’ he continued.
‘But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine. Today we recover Michael’s dignity because, today, we speak Michael’s name with love. And it is the dignity of Michael’s life, and not the manner of Michael’s death, that will abide in our hearts. Here in this place, today, we recover Michael’s dignity. We speak Michael’s name with love.’
Pushing for goodness to prevail, he urged: ‘Today our challenge, as believers in Jesus Christ, is not to give in to the toxic. Let us not give in to hatred and bitterness. Let us not give in to death and destruction. Let us go from here today, and in Michael’s name, let us resolve to do good. Let us strive for justice and fairness. Let us be builders of peace and create relationships of dignity. Because, if you don’t build a better world and if I don’t build a better world, who will build a better world?’
Maureen Finnegan, a family friend, spoke of Michael’s good nature, vowing to be there for his family during this trying time.
‘Though we need to weep your loss, you now dwell in that safe place in our hearts, where no storm or night or pain or evil can reach you.
May this dark grief – flower with hope in every heart that loves you. Your days here were too brief.
‘Let us not look for you only in memory, where we would feel lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence – beside us when beauty brightens, when darkest winter has turned to Spring. May you continue to inspire us: to enter each day with a generous heart. To do what you would want us to do.
‘To serve the call of courage and love and generosity, until we see you once again, in that land where there is no more separation, where evil doesn’t exist – where all tears will be wiped from our mind, and where we will never lose you again.’
Finishing off proceedings, Michael’s widow Janice lead the family out of the church holding Michael’s urn in her arms, cradled in a sheepskin-lined basket.
A former US Marine, Michael Kelley, who had worked on Mr Gaine’s farm, was arrested in connection with the case and detained for 24 hours, but released without charge the following night due to insufficient evidence.
Mr Kelley has revealed that he sought asylum in Ireland over fears of unjust persecution in the US.
Gardaí are continuing to investigate several theories over Mr Gaine’s death.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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