[Cherie]

You might not be aware of this story but its a real life horror

Michael Gaine: Full timeline of mysterious disappearance of Kerry farmer

News first broke of missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine on the 21st of March. Known to friends and family as Mike, the 56-year-old had not been seen since the previous day, Thursday 20th March.

Michael has a colossal 1,000 acre farm near Kenmare and so an unprecedented search was launched involving hundreds of volunteers, gardai, Civil Defence, the Coast Guard, Defence Forces, helicopters and drones. Yet for almost two months, there was no trace of Michael to be found.

The case took a dramatic turn over the weekend when matter that was later determined to be human flesh was discovered as slurry was being spread over the farmland on Friday evening.

A man continues to be questioned in the case and gardai have until this evening to charge or release him. Here, we breakdown the timeline of the mysterious case that began as a missing person investigation two months ago.

Thursday, March 20
The last official sighting of Michael. The well-known farmer is seen around Kenmare and reported to be in good spirits with no signs of distress. CCTV captures him purchasing phone credit from a local Centra at 9.48am. Gardai say the last sighting of Michael was in Kenmare town at about 11am.

Friday, March 21
Michael's wife Janice reports him missing after he failed to come home. His jeep is found unattended in the yard of his farm with his phone and wallet inside. That day, close friends begin conducting a search of the farm while gardai set up an incident room at Killarney Garda Station.

Saturday, March 22
Gardai issue the first press release in the missing persons appeal. It asks for the public's assistance in tracing Michael's whereabouts, stating that his family are "concerned for his well being".

Following the appeal, a massive search begins involving more than 250 volunteers from the local community, the Coast Guard, Civil Defence, gardai and Kerry Mountain Rescue. That afternoon Michael's jeep is removed from the land and taken away for forensic testing.

Over the following days Michael is making headlines across the country and the search for him intensifies. Hundreds of locals get involved, a Garda helicopter is utilised, as well as drones to search the vast farmland and mountainous terrain of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks surrounding it.

Several slurry tanks were identified around the land – while diggers were brought in to assist the search. The tanks were emptied and extensively searched but no sign of the missing man was found. Searches continued around outhouses on the land – and sniffer dogs were also utilised.

Wednesday, March 26
The Garda Water Unit are drafted in and carry out extensive searches around an old disused quarry up the road from Michael's old farmhouse. They searched around the shore of the nearby Barfinnihy Lake as well as the Looscaunagh Lake about an hour's walk from Michael's old farm house. A stream around his land was also searched to no avail.

Thursday, March 27
Gardai renew their appeal to the public, however this time they also ask to speak to anyone who travelled on the N71 on Thursday March 20 and/or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from March 20/21 in the Kenmare town / Moll's Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.

A week on from the disappearance, hopes of finding Michael alive are fading while newspaper reports suggest gardai are probing the possibility of foul play.

Thursday, April 1
Gardai issue a new update and say the Irish Defence Forces will be assisting the search. Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny began assisting in the search of rough open terrain and higher altitudes.

Wednesday, April 7
Several calves belonging to Michael as well as dozens of sheep are sold by his devastated wife Janice. Those close to Michael tell reporters that the sheep were scheduled to be sold and point out that nobody is available to care for the animals. The Irish Mirror reports an American man, who had been residing on Michael's land, is cooperating with gardai and is being treated as a witness in the case.

Tuesday, April 29
More than a month after Michael went missing, the case is upgraded to a homicide investigation.

Gardai said: "Based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team, Garda can confirm today Tuesday, April 29, this missing person investigation has now been reclassified as a homicide investigation, and a formal criminal investigation has now commenced."

Saturday, May 17
A major development in the case emerges. On Friday evening there is a discovery of human tissue while slurry was being spread on Michael Gaine's farmland, it leads to the area being designated as a crime scene. The State Pathologist and Garda forensic team are called. A huge examination of the farmyard and surrounding area begins and more human tissue is found.

Sunday, May 18
A man in his 50s who is known to Michael Gaine is arrested on suspicion of murder.

Monday, May 19
The suspect was released without charge from Gardai custody on Monday night. Gardai confirmed that the man, who in his 50s had been released following questioning.

In a statement a Garda spokesperson said: "The male (aged in his 50s) arrested in connection with this investigation has been released without charge from the provisions of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984. Search operations, supported by local, regional, and national Garda units, other emergency services and the Defence Forces, are ongoing at Carrig East, Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

"The family of Michael Gaine have been kept informed of this update and An Garda Síochána continue to support Michael's family through a Family Liaison Officer. The family have requested privacy at this time. Gardaí continue to appeal to the public for assistance in this investigation. The Garda investigation team can be contacted at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána."Gardaí will now prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions."

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Now over to our reporter on the ground @Niamh.