Fifty Defence Forces troops join search effort for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine
The 56-year old has now been missing for 11 daysOne possible theory being examined is that he fell into a waterway on his property and was swept away by floodwaters while fixing a water connection to his shed
The 56-year old has now been missing for 11 days with his sudden disappearance baffling friends, family and investigating gardaí. In a statement, the Defence Forces announced that ’50 personnel from 1 Brigade will be deployed in an Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) operation to assist with the ongoing search’ from today, April 1.The operation will involve troops from the 12th Infantry Battalion in Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion based in Kilkenny. Gardaí have said these searches required trained personnel as the lands are “rough, open ground and at higher altitude and the experience and discipline of trained personnel is appropriate to assist in carrying out these searches.”The last recorded sighting of Mr Gaine is on CCTV at 9.48am on Thursday, March 20 when he bought phone credit. His jeep was later discovered on his farm close to Molls Gap, on the N71 Kenmare to Killarney road, with his phone and wallet inside.His personal belongings and wallet were found in the vehicle.Gardai plea for information in mysterious missing Kerry farmer caseDespite extensive searches of the farmyard and a 3km radius of this area no clue has been found as to the whereabouts of Mr Gaine. The search area was broadened at the weekend to cover more of the farm land and local waterways including the rivers and lakes. Kerry Mountain Rescue, local Coastguard Units and Search and the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) continued searching for the missing farmer over the weekend. A specialised dog unit concentrated on land searches while trained coastguard volunteers focused on water searches. Iveragh, Glenderry, and Castletownbere Coastguard units searched all the way from Mr Gaine's farm along the River Finnihy to Kenmare Bay.There is a large stream at the back of the property, that ultimately joins the Kenmare river, and a possible theory being examined is that the farmer could have fallen into a waterway on his property and been swept by floodwaters while fixing a water connection to his shed. The coastguard volunteers also searched the entire Kenmare Bay on both sides as far as Blackwater Pier while Castletownbere volunteers searched on the County Cork side of the bay. Low tides this weekend helped with these searches and the coastguard units also used drones to assist. The volunteers also concentrated on the lakes, including Barfinnihy and Lough Looscaunagh to ensure that every single waterway has been searched. Jonathan Walsh of Iveragh Coastguard Unit said the coastguard and all search units are doing all they can to help and are using their training to help search for Mr Gaine. They are being assisted by the Garda Divisional Search Unit. "We are here and we are searching, we have broadened the search to look at the waterways,” he said. "We undertook a targeted search, including the river Finnihy and the lands using drones and trained volunteers. Low tides helped us search all the nooks and crannies. It was an extensive search. We were out 12 hours on Sunday,” he explained. Gardaí say this remains a missing person case and there is no evidence of foul play at this point. Kenmare Parish Priest Fr George Hayes said prayers for Mr Gaine at weekend masses."The not knowing is a great source of anguish and distress for his wife and family. He is embedded in the community here in Kenmare and all the community can do is help when called upon by the agencies and to pray for an outcome.”Gardaí are looking for any information on Mr Gaine’s bronze-coloured Toyota RAV4 vehicle, registration number 152 KY 366 and they want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday 20th March, after 09:48am and/ or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday 20th March and Friday 21st March in the Kenmare town / Moll’s Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.They are particularly seeking anyone with camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still photos) from Thursday and Friday, March 20 and March 21, in the Kenmare town / Moll’s Gap (N71/ R568) area.
