Sadly this macabre killing will be hard for nation to forget

MICHAEL Gaine should be remembered for how he lived and not for how he died, his local parish priest claimed at his funeral.

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

Unfortunately that's unlikely to be the case as this much-loved Kerry farmer's death will always register as one of the most grotesque and macabre murders in recent years.

The fact that no one has so far been held to account for this horrific murder amid growing fears that his killer might escape justice will only add to the notoriety of the case.

What appears to have been a series of blunders on the part of gardai in the early stages of his disappearance when vital evidence might have been available is also a cause of concern.

Gardai now believe the outgoing farmer who loved music and travelling was murdered soon after he returned to his isolated farmyard at Carrig East, 6km from Kenmare town on March 20.

In his homily yesterday Fr George Hayes said that since Michael went missing "we've asked so many questions, and in life, sometimes there are no answers".