If you are alive Michael, please contact someone

THE senior garda leading the investigation into the disappearance of farmer Michael Gaine has appealed for him to come forward “if he is alive.”

- BY PAUL HEALY Crime Correspondent

Speaking to the media outside Kenmare Garda Station yesterday, Superintendent Dave Callaghan also acknowledged this was a “unique” missing persons case and “probably one of the largest searches conducted in the Kerry division in recent times.”

Asked by the media if gardai suspect Michael, 56, who seemingly vanished without a trace from his farm yard just outside of Kenmare on March 20 may still be alive, the superintendent said: “We haven't recovered Michael. This is still a missing persons investigation.

“So I would appeal that if he is alive, he would contact someone, or that if anyone knows that he's alive or knows his whereabouts, to make contact with gardai.”

The superintendent said in the three weeks since Michael disappeared gardai have made 230 enquiries, taken 100 statements and garnered over 1,500 hours of CCTV footage.

And he acknowledged that the search, which has involved multiple garda units, helicopters, drones, the Civil Defence, Defence Forces, Coast Guard and over 250 volunteers has been challenging amid mountainous and dense terrain.

Supt Callaghan added: “Every missing persons investigation is, obviously, investigated, and it depends on the information you have and the circumstances surrounding it.

“It (this case) is unique. We are three weeks into it, and we don't know his whereabouts, and that is unique. It’s challenging as well too.