'Mobsters are trying to string me up'

Ex-US Marine denies any role in Gaine's death | He says man who took him in & hired him 'OK'

- PAUL HEALY and MICHAEL O'TOOLE

AN AMERICAN farmhand who was arrested on suspicion of murdering Michael Gaine believes he is being framed.

Former US Marine Michael Kelley was quizzed by detectives for 24 hours before he was released without charge on Monday evening.

The Irish Daily Star spoke to him after tracking him down to Tralee, Co Kerry.

Mr Kelley, who is claiming asylum in Ireland, denies any involvement.

He claimed he is being framed by gangsters and is “revolted” by what happened to Mr Gaine who was last seen alive in March.

When we asked him who he believed was trying to implicate him, he said: “There may be elements that want to string me up.

“People who have an interest in organised crime - people who are involved in organised crime.”

Mr Kelley, who is now living in Tralee, accepted gardai are treating him as a suspect in the murder of Mr Gaine - after dismembered remains were found in slurry on the farmer's land in Kenmare.

He also acknowledged he is the man who was arrested and interviewed by gardai before being released without charge earlier this week.

Mr Kelley explained: “Well that is a matter of record.

“Do you know who I am? Well then why do you ask?

ASYLUM

“Whether or not I'm a suspect is not a matter of perspective. It's a matter of public record.”

Asked did he say anything to the gardai, Mr Kelley told us: “Well of course but that's all stuff that is privileged between the guards, the solicitor and myself.”

We then inquired if he denies any involvement in the murder of Mr Gaine - and he replied: “Yes.”