Defence Forces to deploy 50 troops in search for missing farmer

The Defence Forces are to deploy about 50 members to help in the search for a farmer missing from his home in Co Kerry.

Michael “Mike” Gaine, 56, was last seen in Kenmare shortly before 10am on Thursday March 20.

Gardai and the man’s family are “extremely” concerned for his wellbeing.

Starting on Tuesday morning, up to 50 troops combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion from Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion from Kilkenny will assist gardai in their searches on open lands over the coming days.

Gardai said the 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”.

When last seen, Mr Gaine was buying phone credit in the Centra shop in Kenmare town at 9.48am, which was captured on CCTV.

He is described as being approximately 5ft 10in, of a stocky build, with brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.

When last seen, he was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.

Mr Gaine left in his bronze-coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366, which was later found parked in Mr Gaine’s farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East.

People are being asked to submit any footage, pictures or videos from Thursday March 20 or Friday March 21 in the Kenmare town or Moll’s Gap areas (N71/R568) to gardai.

Anyone with information on Mr Gaine’s whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station or any garda station.

Gardai said they wanted to thank members of the public who have assisted in searches previously. They said they are not requesting the assistance of the general public for further searches at this time.