Courts / Kerry / Report
Almost 200 witnesses involved in Mike Gaine murder case as trial date set
Summary
Almost 200 witnesses are involved in the case of Michael Kelley, a former US soldier charged with the murder of Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine. A nine-week trial is set to begin in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in January 2027. Kelley, 54, is charged with murdering Gaine, 56, at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, between March 20 and 21, 2025. The court was told that there are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence, and the case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. Kelley is currently in custody in Cork Prison, and video arrangements have been made for his appearance on video-link. His defense team has informed the court that his solicitor, Patrick Mann, is applying to cease acting for him, and Frank Buttimer has been retained as his new solicitor. The trial was set for January 11, 2027, in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, as the court could not allocate a case of this length to Cork.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Almost 200 witnesses involved in Mike Gaine murder case as trial date set. Charges or matters: a single count of murdering Mr Gaine (56) at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry on a date unknown between March 20 and 21, 2025. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- March 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 11, 2027 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 9 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 21, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 29 Other
- May 2025 Other
- 2026-06-22 Publication
Why: The barrister said Mr Buttimer was not seeking to withdraw from representing Mr Kelley and, because the accused man is in custody, Mr Buttimer "would abide by any directions the court gives at this stage to the matter". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: a single count of murdering Mr Gaine (56) at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry on a date unknown between March 20 and 21, 2025 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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