If we can't find Michael I don't know what I am going to do

THE wife of missing Michael Gaine has appealed for people to help solve his mystery disappearance.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE Crime and Defence Editor In Kenmare, Co Kerry

Janice Gaine said: "If there is anybody that has any information about Michael, do please come forward and talk to the gardai.

"We just want Michael to come home."

Mrs Gaine issued a video appeal a day after detectives upgraded the investigation into 56-year-old Michael's disappearance from a missing person case to homicide.

That means gardai believe the farmer, from Kenmare, Co Kerry, was murdered or otherwise killed.

He was last seen on March 20 in a shop in Kenmare and there has been a major Garda search for him since.

Janice and Michael's sister Noreen O'Regan appealed for the public's help in solving the case.

Mrs Gaine said in her statement: "I am Janice Gaine.

"I am Michael Gaine's wife.

"I would just like to say something about Michael, that he was my best friend, my husband.

"This whole thing has been devastating.

"He loved his home, he loved his farm, he loved farming.

"He loved his animals, he loved rallying.

"He had lots of friends, he was a very popular guy and his disappearance is totally out of character - well we knew him from day one.

"We want to know what happened to him because if we can't find Michael, I just don't know what I am going to do and what his family, his sister Noreen... I just want Michael to come home."

And Michael's sister Noreen also issued an appeal.

She said: "Michael was a loving husband, brother, uncle.