Gardaí have arrested a man in his 50s this morning in connection with the murder of Co Kerry farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine.
Mr Gaine, aged 56 and a well-known figure in local farming and motorsport communities, was reported missing from his home and farm at Carraig East, near Kenmare, on 21 March 2025 (with some reports noting his last sighting on the farm on 20 March).
The case was initially treated as a missing persons inquiry, with large-scale community searches involving hundreds of people. By late April 2025, Gardaí reclassified the investigation as a homicide after concluding he was deceased.
In May 2025, human tissue discovered on the farm — including in fields and farmyard areas — was forensically confirmed through DNA testing to be that of Mr Gaine. This followed an earlier discovery of remains around two weeks after initial searches.
A man in his 50s — identified in media reports as American former US soldier Michael Kelley, who had been living on the farm — was arrested shortly afterwards in May 2025 on suspicion of murder. He was later released without charge. Mr Kelley publicly denied any involvement and claimed he was being framed.
Today’s arrest marks the second in the investigation. The man is currently being detained at a Garda station in Kerry, where questioning continues.
The probe remains active, with Gardaí treating Mr Gaine’s death as murder. No further details about the latest suspect or potential charges have been released at this time.
