Mike Gaine search: Specialised Defence Forces Engineering Team assisting in Kerry search
The 56-year old has been missing from Kenmare for 35 days having been last seen buying phone credit in a local shop on March 20 after which he apparently vanishing into thin air on his farm close to Molls Gap.
Despite one of the most extensive searches ever undertaken in the county there has been no trace found of Mr Gaine.
Gardaí have described it as a 'unique and challenging' case and one in which they have absolutely no answers.
Searches are continuing on the farm this week with the Defence Forces continuing their detailed search of the land which is mountainous and boggy making their work difficult and slow.
A specialised engineering troop has been drafted into to assist with the search.
The Defence Forces have now spent almost three weeks searching the 1,000 acre farm but to date nothing of any significance has been found that could help trace the whereabouts of Mr Gaine.
Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny arrived to Kenmare on April 1 and these troops searched the farm yard and lands all the way to Molls Gap and down to River Finnihy in the intervening three weeks.
The Defence Forces have confirmed that confirm that personnel from 12th Infantry Battalion and an Engineer Specialist Search Team (ESST) from 1 Brigade Engineer Group are in Kenmare to assist gardaí this week.
Garda sources said the army can get into places that other search teams cannot due to their training and they are particularly specialised in rough and boggy terrain. They also have specialised equipment to cut back overgrowth.
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High-definition drone footage is assisting the troops as they search for anything that could help solve the mystery of what happened Mr Gaine.
Gardaí have also this week appealed to cycling clubs in Kerry to see if any of their members were cycling in the vicinity of the farm on the day Mr Gaine was last seen – Thursday, March 20. He was reported missing the following day on Friday, March 21.
In a message to clubs they said they were seeking the assistance of the club members.
'As part of the investigation in relation to the disappearance of Michael Gaine, Kenmre, on March 20 Killarney gardaí would appreciate if you could please canvass with members of your club to see if they cycled the Molls Gap Road from Kenmare to Killarney on this date please.'
Cyclists are asked to contact Killarney gardaí on 0646671167.
Mr Gaine was captured in the local Centra shop on CCTV on the morning of March 20 and that is the last recorded sighting of the 56-year old at approximately 9.49am.
He left the shop in his Bronze coloured RAV 4, registration 152KY366. This was found in his farm yard just off the N71 at Carraig East, Kenmare.
His disappearance has baffled investigating gardaí who are continuing to examine all options. While foul play has been considered there is no direct evidence of any crime.
Mr Gaine's phone and wallet was found in the jeep in his yard which has added to the mystery around this case.
His sudden disappearance seen as completely 'out of character'
In the most recent update from gardaí in a press briefing two weeks ago daily searches since March 22 centered around the farmyard at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, surrounding lands, water sources and roads.
An Garda Síochána has 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 as well as the Defence Forces.
Garda Superintendent David Callaghan said that this is an 'exceptional' investigation.
He told the press that all missing persons cases are investigated and depend on the information you have, but this case is 'unique' and 'challenging' given three weeks in gardaí have no idea of the whereabout of the missing farmer.
"To say we are still searching highlights the mystery of his whereabouts and it is challenging. We are no nearer to finding him than we were three weeks ago,' he said at the time and this remains the case five weeks later.
'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,' their update stated.
'Despite the extensive enquiries carried out so far An Garda Síochána has not discovered what happened to Michael on March 20,' they said.
They also made an appeal at the time that if Mr Gaine was alive to contact them re-iterating that it remains a missing person's case.
Mr Gaine is described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.
When last seen, he was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who may have any information 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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