Missing farmer's sheep sold off

SHEEP belonging to missing farmer Michael Gaine were being sold off by his devastated wife at a Kerry co-op mart yesterday.

- PAUL HEALY

This paper spent the day speaking to pals and locals about the baffling mystery of his disappearance on March 20 - as the search now goes into its third week without answers.

It is understood gardai have committed to continue to search the 56-year-old's land, which is nestled in a scenic area near Moll's Gap in Kenmar, for the rest of the week.

However, sources said if officers do not find any significant evidence, the search of the land may be wound up in days.

It comes as we spotted a drone flying above his farm yesterday as gardai were assisted by members of the Defence Forces in searching the vast land which is full of outhouses, a river, streams, forest and rough terrain.

In the midst of the search it is understood gardai recovered a bow and arrows in a cave located on the land.

Though sources have urged caution and said officers are not immediately linking the find with the disappearance.

An American national, who is understood to have been living in an outhouse on Mike's land, is being treated as a "witness", sources have confirmed and may be one of the last people to see him before he vanished.

UPSET

He is understood to be assisting gardai with their inquiries and remains residing on the land as the searches continue.

It is understood gardai have not ruled out tragic circumstances nor foul play - as sources also downplayed Michael's previous history of going 'missing' for a day or two in the past.

Sources said this disappearance remains completely out of character and has left those closest to him devastated.

We also attempted to speak to his wife Janice - who declined to speak to this paper when approached at the home she shared with the missing man, about 3km from his farm.

Approached outside the large house, Ms Gaine was sitting outside with her dog when she told this paper: "No, sorry."