Michael Gaine, 56, was reported missing from Kenmare, Co Kerry on March 21.An Garda Síochána

The man arrested on Sunday, May 18, on suspicion of the murder of missing Kenmare farmer Michael Gaine has been released without charge, An Garda Síochána announced on Monday night, May 19.

"The male (aged in his 50s) arrested in connection with this investigation has been released without charge from the provisions of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984," An Garda Siochana said.

"Search operations, supported by local, regional, and national Garda units, other emergency services, and the Defence Forces, are ongoing at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

"The family of Michael Gaine have been kept informed of this update and An Garda Síochána continue to support Michael's family through a Family Liaison Officer. The family have requested privacy at this time.

"Gardaí continue to appeal to the public for assistance in this investigation. The Garda investigation team can be contacted at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána."

Gaine, 56, was last seen in Kenmare town in Co Kerry on Thursday, March 20, and was reported missing the following day.

CCTV footage from March 20 showed him buying phone credit in Centra in 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. 

CCTV footage of Michael Gaine in a Centra in Kenmare on March 21, 2025.

On April 29, Gardaí officially reclassified their missing person investigation to a homicide investigation.

They said at the time that throughout the investigation, they had undertaken over 320 formal jobs/enquiries, taken nearly 130 witness statements, recovered approximately 2,200 hours of CCTV/Dash Cam footage, and conducted extensive searches.

Gardaí added that despite the extensive enquiries carried out until that point, Gaine's remains had not yet been recovered.

The day after Gaine's case was reclassified, his wife Janice and sister Noreen issued an emotional appeal for information.

"We just want Michael to come home," Janice said. "We want to know what happened to him."

On Saturday, An Garda Síochána announced that lands at Carrig East in Kenmare - where Gaine's farmyard is located - were declared a crime scene.

Later on Saturday, An Garda Síochána confirmed that "partial human remains" had been found following preliminary examinations at the scene on Saturday by State Pathologist Dr. Sally Anne Collis and Forensic Anthropologist Laureen Buckley, assisted by the Garda Technical Bureau.

On Sunday, Gardaí announced that a man in his 50s had been arrested on suspicion of murder and was detained at a Garda Station in Kerry Division.