Finding the murder weapon could be only way to solve Michael Gaine mystery

Finding the murder weapon involved in the gruesome death of farmer Michael Gaine may be the only way to solve the mystery of his killing, senior sources have told Extra.ie.

The discovery of body parts released from a slurry tank resulted in the arrest of a man who was well-known to Mr. Gaine.

However, that man has since been released without charge, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Security sources have now said that finding the murder weapon may be one of the last ways to apprehend his killer.

There are also fears that the mechanisms at work in the device used to spray slurry could have distorted the bone fragments, which were discovered on Mr. Gaine’s land at the weekend.

The slurry pump’s agitator is used to mix solids and liquids together and allows the manure to be pumped more freely.

It is feared that this mechanism could have warped the shape of the bones, which may make it more difficult for forensic scientists to say with certainty how the victim died.

The working Garda theory is that Mr. Gaine, 56, was killed on his land just north of Kenmare, Co Kerry, and was then dismembered using a blade or saw.

The amount of time the body parts spent in the slurry tank, along with the agitator issue, has made the discovery of the murder weapon "almost central" to the investigation.

"Obviously, finding a weapon in any murder investigation is of huge importance, but with the way this one has gone, it is even more important," one source explained.

Large Garda teams, as well as members of the Defence Forces, were yesterday continuing to hunt for the weapon used in the sheep farmer’s death.

Personnel from the specialist engineering section of the Defence Forces, from Collins Barracks in Cork, were working in one area of the site; close by, a number of excavators were lifting and sifting through mounds of soil and other material.

While they continue to look for a weapon, gardaí are also conscious that the man they arrested, who was always the chief suspect in Mr. Gaine’s disappearance, may leave the jurisdiction. There are no legal impediments whatsoever which could stop the man from leaving Ireland.

A source said: "There are many theories going around, as you can imagine, as to why Mike [Mr. Gaine] was killed. But one theory gardaí are looking at is that Mike and this man had a falling-out over some land.

"The fella who has been arrested has always been a person of interest in Mike’s disappearance. He’s protesting his innocence, as is his right, but gardaí are more than confident that they’ve got the right man.

"The dogs on the street knew that gardaí liked this man for Mike’s disappearance. It was an open secret in Kerry, but he has still just gone about his business and not left the area."

Mr. Gaine was reported missing in March, and for six weeks, his disappearance was treated by gardaí as a missing-persons case.

However, on April 29, the investigation was reclassified as a homicide, giving gardaí increased investigative powers.

The new developments in the case come just over two weeks after Mr. Gaine’s wife, Janice, appealed for the public’s help in solving the mystery of her husband’s disappearance.

In an emotional statement, she said: ‘This whole thing has been devastating. Michael loved his home, he loved his farm, and he loved farming. He loved his animals; he loved rallying.

"He had lots of friends, he was a very popular guy, and his disappearance is totally out of character. We knew that from day one.

"If there is anybody that has any information about Michael, please come forward and talk to the gardaí. We just want Michael to come home."

Mr. Gaine’s sister, Noreen O’Regan, said last month that her family were "devastated," adding: "We want him back."

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.