'No indication vanished Michael was murdered'

O'Callaghan told hunt for farmer remains a missing person probe

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE

JUSTICE Minister Jim O'Callaghan said gardai have given him no indication they believe missing farmer Michael Gaine has been murdered.

There has been no trace of the 56-year-old since he was last seen in a Centra in Kenmare, Co Kerry, on March 20.

After he was briefed by local officers yesterday, Mr O'Callaghan headed to Killarney for the annual meeting of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.

ARMY

There he said he was concerned Mr Gaine had still not been found despite a massive search involving gardai, the Defence Forces and civilians.

He added: "I know it is a matter of concern to his family and people in that area of Kerry.

"I know the gardai and indeed the army are doing a huge amount of work in terms of trying to facilitate the search for Michael Gaine but I have been kept updated in respect of it - but I am concerned about him."