Slurry pit search for vanished farmer

Fears missing Michael fell in accident or was a victim of murder

- EXCLUSIVE BY PAUL HEALY and MICHAEL O'TOOLE

GARDAI fear that missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine may have been murdered - or fallen into a slurry pit.

Officers investigating the baffling disappearance of the popular farmer in Kenmare are understood to be probing fears that he could have been killed - or died in a horrific accident.

However sources say the investigation has of yet yielded no answers.

Officers were yesterday searching a slurry pit - amid fears that Mr Gaine, 56, could have fallen in in a horrific accident.

Other possibilities have also not been ruled out at this stage with officers mounting a massive search operation including the Civil Defence, the Coast Guard, Kerry Mountain Rescue, and up to 250 volunteers.

A Garda helicopter and drones are also being utilised in the unprecedented search across hundreds of acres of mountainous terrain - amid claims from those who know Mr Gaine that his disappearance is completely out of character.