The funeral of farmer Mike Gaine has taken place in Kenmare Co Kerry.
Mr Gaine was reported missing on. March 20th last. . His remains were found on his land last month.
The disappearance of Mr Gaine was initially a missing persons investigation but upgraded to murder ever before his remains were found.
Gardai believe Me Gaine was murdered on the day he went missing. It’s thought his body was cut up and then dumped in a slurry tank.
Despite searches of the tanks on his farm the remains were only discovered when slurry was spread on the farmland.
A former US soldier living in the area was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released without charge.
At his funeral mass this morning Eoghan Clarke a cousin of Mr Gaine’s said he was asked by Michael’s wife Janice to say a few words and that he was honoured to do so.
“Michael was a proud man. A proud Kerryman and an even prouder Kenmare man. He was born in Kenmare in 1968 and lived here all of his life. He was raised by two incredible parents, Jimmy and Sheila, who instilled in him their incredible work ethic, personality and humour for which Mike was so well known.
Michael had a great friend group here in Kenmare and in particular his group of rallying buddies. Janice wonderfully described Michael as someone who “honed in on someone’s personality when he spoke to them” and that he would “focus on their own interests, offering his own input while being careful to never overshadow them”.
Janice and Michael’s sisters will know better than anyone that Michael had a soft, caring side. In Janice’s own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving. Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too”.
Michael will be missed terribly said his cousin Eoghan.
In his homily Fr George Hays said “in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine. Today we recover Michael’s dignity because, today, we speak Michael’s name with love. And it is the dignity of Michael’s life, and not the manner of Michael’s death, that will abide in our hearts. Here in this place, today, we recover Michael’s dignity. We speak Michael’s name with love”.
The remains of the well respected sheep farmer were cremated . His heartbroken family said the location of Mr Gaine’s final resting place will remain private.
Mr Gaine is survived by his wife Janice and his sisters Noreen and Catherine.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said a review of the investigation is taking place.
