An Garda Síochána have today, Thursday, April 10, provided an update on the search for Michael Gaine, the 56-year-old farmer who was reported missing from Kenmare, Co Kerry on Friday, March 21.
Gardaí said in their update today that they continue 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, three weeks ago today.
CCTV footage from that day 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.
Michael Gaine, seen here in the Centra in Kenmare on Thursdday, March 20. (An Garda Siochana)
An Garda Síochána said on Thursday that over the past three weeks, they have carried out extensive searches and enquiries coordinated from an incident room at Killarney Garda Station.
An Garda Síochána has conducted daily searches since March 22, centered on Michael Gaine's farmyard at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co Kerry, as well as surrounding lands, water sources, and roads.
An Garda Síochána have been assisted by the Civil Defence (Kerry and Cork), Irish Coast Guard Units (Glenderry and Iveragh), Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Team, Kerry Fire Service, and 200 civilian volunteers.
Since April 1, further assistance has been provided by the Irish Defense Forces, both permanent and reserve members from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny, and the 1st Field Engineer Company, Cork.
Defence Forces personnel were deployed to search the wooded and marsh areas, utilizing their experience, skills, and capabilities in mountainous terrain, rugged landscape, and dense forest and undergrowth.
An Garda Síochána have deployed specialist Garda members to assist in the search including the Garda Water Unit, Divisional Search Teams, and members undertaking investigative actions including statement taking and CCTV/ dash-cam collection.
To date, An Garda Síochána has undertaken nearly 230 formal jobs/enquiries, taken nearly 100 witness statements, and recovered approximately 1,500 hours of CCTV/dash-cam footage.
An Garda Síochána continues to keep Michael’s family informed and support his family through a Family Liaison Officer.
Despite the extensive enquiries carried out so far, An Garda Síochána has not discovered what happened to Michael on March 20.
Gardaí said on Thursday that Michael's family have had no contact from him.
Michael's family, as well as An Garda Síochána, are extremely concerned for his well-being.
The missing person’s investigation into the disappearance of Michael Gaine is ongoing and active.
Gardaí continue to seek information from anyone who can assist in bringing Michael back to his family.
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.
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