Man charged with murdering Kerry farmer Mike Gaine seeks new barristers before January trial

Mixed · 2Michael Kelley, a former US soldier charged with murdering Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine, wants new barristers ahead of his trial, the Central Criminal Court heard on Friday 9 October 2026. 1 2 Left · 1Kelley (54), a native of Maine in the US but of no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry, is charged with a single count of murdering Gaine (56) at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025. He was sent forward for trial in Dublin last May after being served with the book of evidence. 1 Left · 1Defence counsel Brendan Grehan told Judge Paul McDermott that he and Richard Liston BL had been instructed by solicitor Frank Buttimer, had met Kelley "a few times", and understood Kelley now wished for alternative counsel. 1

Left · 1Grehan said Kelley wishes to keep Buttimer as his solicitor and that "alternative arrangements" were being put in place to instruct other counsel. He applied under the Legal Services Regulation Act for permission for himself and Liston to withdraw, and Kelley, appearing by video-link, told the judge he was agreeable. 1 Left · 1Fiona McGowan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said disclosure was at a very advanced stage but ongoing. The judge listed a case management review for 23 October so new counsel can read themselves into the case, and said the trial date remained "as is". 1 Mixed · 2Kelley is expected to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court on 11 January 2027. The court was previously told there are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence and that the case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. 2 1

Left · 1Gaine was reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025, prompting an extensive search. The case was upgraded to homicide on 29 April, and remains found on his farm at Carrig in May 2025 were identified as his. 1