Who is the American drifter questioned over Michael Gaine’s murder?

In the News podcast: American says he is innocent of sheep farmer’s murder

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Michael Kelley, who has identified himself as the suspect in the Michael Gaine murder investigation, pictured in Tralee, Co Kerry, on May 27th. Photograph: Barry Roche
Michael Kelley, who has identified himself as the suspect in the Michael Gaine murder investigation, pictured in Tralee, Co Kerry, on May 27th. Photograph: Barry Roche

Kerry farmer Michael Gaine’s disappearance on March 20th was first treated as a missing person’s case.

Soon, though, it was upgraded to a murder investigation as gardaí explored multiple lines of inquiry in their attempts to find a body.

Partial human remains were found on May 16th and subsequently confirmed to be those of Gaine. The discovery shone a new, disturbing light on the case. The 56-year-old had been dismembered, with his body parts deposited into the silage pit on his farm.

One line of inquiry involved Michael Kelley, an American who lived and worked on Gaine’s 1,000-acre farm for the past three years.

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Kelley has identified himself to the media and confirmed he was arrested and questioned in relation to Gaine’s murder. He was released without charge.

So, who is he and what was he doing in Kerry? How did he come to live and work on the Gaine farm? And why is he giving interviews?

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

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