A SWEEP by the Irish Army of vast swathes of land has provided “hope” to locals in the search for Kerry farmer Mike Gaine.
The popular 56-year-old Kenmare man vanished almost two weeks ago after last being seen in a local shop.
There has been no communication from him, nor any reported sightings anywhere since he was last seen on March 20.
There have been extensive searches of Mike’s farmyard, while a number of slurry tanks were emptied.
Excavations with diggers were also carried out, as well as ground searches over many kilometres stretching out from the farm.
The Garda helicopter and drones have been involved in aerial surveys, while the Garda Water Unit has tasked divers to search a number of nearby lakes and a disused quarry.
Gardai, Civil Defence, the Coast Guard, Kerry Mountain Rescue and up to 250 local volunteers are among the agencies now involved in the massive operation.
Trained sniffer dogs have also been utilised in the probe, which is still being treated as a missing person’s case.
The Defence Forces joined the search today as it moved to higher and more dangerous ground.
A spokesman for the military told The Irish Sun today they were “engaged in a supporting capacity as part of our Aid to the Civil Power role, as this operation is led by An Garda Siochana”.
Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion in Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Kilkenny are assisting in the searches over the coming days.
A Garda spokesman added: “These lands are rough, open ground and at higher altitude, and the experience and discipline of trained personnel is appropriate to assist in carrying out these searches.”
1,000-ACRE SEARCH
All resources are being used in the search for the popular farmer, whose land comprises of over 1,000 acres, much of which is rough mountain and bogland.
It is understood an area of focus for the searches is a large stream at the back of the farmhouse that eventually joins the Kenmare River.
A possible theory being examined is that Mike might have fallen into this waterway and been swept away by floodwaters while repairing a water connection to his shed.
Over the weekend, a large amount of farm land and various waterways, including lakes, quarries and rivers, were searched by the Garda Sub-Aqua Unit.
NO POSITIVE RESULTS
Coastguard units have also been involved in water searches going from the farm along the adjoining River Finnihy to Kenmare Bay, while Kerry Mountain Rescue has thrown all its resources into the search.
Trained dogs from the Rescue Dog Association have also been combing the countryside with their handlers.
But, despite the extensive efforts, no positive results have been yielded.
Gardai have stood down searches by members of the public who turned out in force to help with the search because of the isolated locations they are now searching.
DEEP CONCERNS
And they have appealed to people not to try to access those areas or to do anything that might hamper the activities of the trained personnel now involved.
As time passes, there are deep concerns on the part of the Gardai and his family for Mike’s safety and well-being.
His disappearance has been completely baffling as he was known for his involvement in the community and his love for his family.
Mike was last seen when he bought phone credit in the Centra store in Kenmare, apparently en route to his isolated mountain farm at Carrig East near the famous Moll’s Gap.
LAST SIGHTING
He was caught on CCTV at 9.48am on Thursday, March 20.
The farm is located off the N71 Killarney to Kenmare road, and the junction to this road is located just yards from the Centra supermarket and filling station.
The search began the following day, and his distinctive bronze Rav4 Toyota jeep was discovered parked outside the farmhouse with his wallet and phone inside.
It appears nothing was taken from the wallet and his phone was intact.
SHOCK AND SADNESS
This is being examined by forensic experts to see if it yields any clues of contact with persons or any reason for his disappearance.
The local community in Kenmare have expressed shock and sadness over Mike’s disappearance which is completely out of character for the farmer.
Prayers for his safe return were said at Masses in Kerry over the weekend.
Kenmare-based Fine Gael Councillor Teddy O’Sullivan said that “while the town is in bits”, the arrival of the Army has brought some hope to the area.
‘TOWN IS IN BITS’
He said: “There would be a certain amount of hope, I suppose.
“That’s all we have to live in at the moment is hope. We would be very hopeful that it would turn up something. The town is in bits altogether. Everyone is talking about it and wondering what happened.
“It’s very hard at the minute when no answers are coming.
“It’s gone on now nearly two weeks and as every day goes by it gets more concerning.”
GARDA APPEAL
Gardai continue to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing Mike’s whereabouts.
A spokeswoman said: “Michael’s family have had no contact from him and his family and An Garda Siochana are extremely concerned for his well-being.
“Michael is described as being approximately 5ft, 10in tall, with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard. When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.
“An Garda Siochana has continued to carry out enquiries in the Kenmare locality and searches continued to be carried out over the weekend, supported by other State and voluntary agencies, in our ongoing efforts to locate Michael.
“An Garda Siochana wishes to thank members of the public who have assisted in searches previously.
‘NOT REQUESTING ASSISTANCE’
“An Garda Siochana is not requesting the assistance of the general public for further searches, at this time.
“However, Gardai continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday, March 20, after 09.48am and/or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images from Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21 in the Kenmare town/Moll’s Gap (N71/ R568) area to provide that imagery to the Garda investigation team.
“Contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.”
