Michael left phone and wallet in jeep

Probe into whether missing farmer went off with someone -as his wife is left 'distraught. Cops carry out checkpoints and make appeal to road users

- PAUL HEALY

GARDAI are probing whether missing farmer Michael Gaine may have gone off with someone after his phone and wallet were left in his jeep.

One week on from the well-known Kerryman's baffling disappearance, gardai have now focused efforts on whether Michael 'Mike' Gaine (56) left his Kenmare-based farm and was taken elsewhere - as officers appealed for road users who were on the N71 last Thursday to come forward.

Yesterday, gardai placed a number of checkpoints at junctions around the town in an attempt to jog the memories of people who may have been on those roads a week ago when Mike was last seen.

Gardai fear that Mike, who close friends say was not in any obvious signs of distress before he vanished, may have been murdered - after he "vanished off the face of the Earth."

And speaking to this paper, Mike's close friend, local councillor Dan McCarthy, said the farmer's wife Janice is "distraught" - while those who knew him are baffled that he would leave his jeep unattended with his wallet and phone inside.

HARM