UPDATE: Gardaí declare land a 'crime scene' in Michael Gaine case as Pathologist requested

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine have declared a crime scene on land near Kenmare, Co Kerry with the State Pathologist now called in to assist.

Gardaí resumed operations on Friday evening at lands in Carrig East, Kenmare, close to where the 56-year-old was last seen, before sealing off the area as a formal crime scene.

In a statement on Saturday, Gardaí confirmed that the Garda Technical Bureau and the State Pathologist have been requested to attend the scene for examination.

“No further information will be provided until those examinations are completed,” a garda spokesperson confirmed.

Mr Gaine, a well-known sheep farmer, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare on March 21.

The investigation was upgraded to a homicide probe last month after extensive searches and over 320 formal enquiries failed to locate him.

In an emotional appeal, Mr Gaine’s wife Janice recently described him as her “best friend” and said the family was devastated by his disappearance.

“We want to know what happened to him, because if we can’t find Michael I just don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said.

Investigators have recovered more than 2,200 hours of CCTV and dash-cam footage as part of the inquiry and are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have information to come forward.

Anyone with details is urged to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

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