'Much-loved' farmer Michael Gaine was 'kind and strong'

Mourners attending the funeral Mass of a County Kerry farmer, whose death is the subject of a murder inquiry, have heard he was a kind, strong man, who loved people, farming and animals.

Michael Gaine, 56, had been missing for more than eight weeks when remains found on his farm, near Kenmare, were identified..

He was initially treated as a missing persons case before it was upgraded to a homicide.

On Saturday the congregation was told by parish priest Fr George Hayes that the funeral was about recovering his dignity, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

"There were many questions but sometimes in life there were no answers," said Fr George Hayes.

He said that the "dignity of Michael's life, and not the manner of Michael's death, that will abide in our hearts".

Michael was someone who "loved much and was much loved," Fr Hayes said.

In a tribute to his cousin, Eoghan Clarke, who spoke on behalf of the family said Mr Gaine was known for his "incredible work ethic, personality and humour, and was a loving son, sibling and uncle".

He said Mr Gaine's "incredible" work ethic had been instilled in him by his parents.

He said he and his wife Janice had a "truly beautiful relationship" and that they loved to be together, "from simple trips to the cinema in Killarney, visits to new restaurants, walks in the National Park, and adventurous holidays abroad".

"Janice and Michael's sisters will know better than anyone that Michael had a soft, caring side. In Janice's own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate," said.

"He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too".

Mourners heard Mr Gaine was a keen rally driver.

Over the past week his rallying friends had fixed up the Ford Escort Mark II he used to race and it was used to transport his ashes.

Mr Gaine, a sheep and cattle farmer, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on 21 March.

He was last seen in the County Kerry town the previous day.

He lived in the remote Carrig East area, close to the Molls Gap beauty spot, along the renowned Ring of Kerry.

According to RTÉ, in-depth investigations by gardaí ruled out "innocent" explanations, such as a medical event, an accident, or that he left the area voluntarily.

A missing person's investigation operates on the basis of consent, but when gardaí announced the re-classification of their investigation, it meant the range of options in front of the investigation team significantly increased.

They could then get search warrants, clear areas of interest and seize and examine certain items like phones and laptops.

Human tissue found in fields and in the farmyard at Mr Gaine's farm on 16 May was later confirmed to be his. His death is being treated as murder.

A man in his 50s, who was arrested last Sunday on suspicion of Mr Gaine's murder, was later released without charge.

He has denied any involvement in the farmer's disappearance.