MICHAEL GAINE MURDER SUSPECT WITHDRAWS GARDA COMPLAINT

THE suspect in the murder of farmer Michael Gaine says he wants to see his name cleared and alleges a “cover-up” may have occurred.

- BY PAUL HEALY Crime Correspondent

US national Michael Kelley, 53, who was arrested by detectives investigating the April 29 murder of Mr Gaine on his Co Kerry farm, also told this paper he’s now “satisfied” with gardai - after withdrawing a complaint against them.

Kelley, who resides in a council-owned apartment in Tralee, said: “I would very much like to see the crime solved and my name exonerated.”

In recent days the former Maine native withdrew a formal complaint he issued to Fiosru - the Garda Ombudsman (formerly GSOC) - over what he said was the “conduct” of some officers who had dealt with him.

Kelley, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and released without charge in May, said he's now happy gardai have dealt with the issue he had with them.

REMAINS

He added: “There was an issue. I decided I was satisfied with the way that it was handled, so I withdrew it.”

Adding he did not want to “scandalise” gardai, Mr Kelley said he did not want to detail what his complaint was.

He added: “I'm not pursuing the complaint because I've no issue, they handled it.

“It arose in relation to the conduct of a few officers but I am satisfied that that has been rectified.”

Gardai have now removed their presence at the 1,000-acre farm near Kenmare, Co Kerry where Mr Gaine's dismembered remains were found in a slurry tank and machinery on May 16 several weeks after his baffling disappearance on the land.

Mr Kelley said he won't be returning to the farm, where he lived and worked with Mr Gaine, who took him in when he was looking for work.