As investigation continues into the disappearance of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine, new information reveals that a “person of interest” had come to the attention of Gardaí before his disappearance.

Gardaí recently made the decision to change the investigation from a missing person’s case to a homicide case.

Presenter of Kerry Today on Radio Kerry Jerry O’Sullivan told The Pat Kenny Show that it is unclear in what way this person was brought to the attention of the Gardaí.

“According to sources, [this person who is] being described as a somewhat ‘vulnerable individual’ had come to Garda attention in the weeks before the farmer went missing,” he said.

“But we don’t know why.

“Whatever that level of interest was of the Gardaí in this person, it led to background checks being carried out on the person and the individual that raised so-called ‘red flags’.”

'Not a suspect' in Michael Gaine case

According to Mr O’Sullivan, it is understood that this person was among the 130 people Gardaí have spoken to over the last six weeks since Mr Gaine went missing.

He also stressed that this person is not a suspect in the case.

“We have to kind of wait and see where things go from here,” he said.

“What we do know, since the upgrading of the investigation to one of homicide, is Gardaí have been back in touch with people who gave them dashcam footage in recent days, looking to talk to them about the footage in particular.

“My understanding as well is that the Gardaí have been back in touch with some of the people who would have given them CCTV footage as well.”

Mr O’Sullivan said the upgrading of the case to a homicide indicates that Gardaí no longer believe Mr Gaine to be alive and that he has been killed, either accidentally or otherwise.

Main image: Michael Gaines. Image: Garda Press Office.