Murder trial of ex-US soldier accused of killing Kerry farmer Mike Gaine adjourned for new counsel
A former US soldier charged with murdering Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine is seeking new barristers ahead of his nine-week trial in January 2027.
New legal team sought in Mike Gaine murder case as trial date held
A former US soldier charged with the murder of Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine has applied to change his barristers ahead of a nine-week trial scheduled for January 2027, the Central Criminal Court heard on Friday, the Irish Independent reports.
Michael Kelley (54), a native of Maine who has no fixed abode in Tralee, Co Kerry, faces a single count of murdering Mike Gaine (56) at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, on a date unknown between 20th and 21st March 2025. He was sent forward for trial in Dublin last May following service of the book of evidence.
At a brief hearing before Judge Paul McDermott, defence counsel Brendan Grehan said he and junior counsel Richard Liston BL had been instructed by solicitor Frank Buttimer on Kelley's behalf. Grehan told the judge the legal team had met Kelley "a few times" but that the accused now wished for alternative counsel in the case.
Grehan made an application under the Legal Services Regulation Act for permission for both himself and Liston to withdraw. He confirmed that Buttimer would remain as solicitor and that Kelley was content with that arrangement. Kelley, who appeared via video-link, confirmed to the judge he was agreeable.
Addressing Kelley directly, Judge McDermott said the application was appropriate. The judge listed the matter for a case management review on 23rd October, saying this would allow new counsel to "read themselves into the case and read the papers".
The trial date of 11th January 2027 remains unchanged. The court was previously told by counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions that the book of evidence contains 191 witnesses and that proceedings are expected to last up to nine weeks.
Fiona McGowan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that disclosure was at a very advanced stage and described it as "ongoing". She requested a further case management date within two weeks, which the judge accommodated by setting the 23rd October review.
Gaine was first reported missing from his home on 21st March 2025, prompting an extensive search of his farm and surrounding areas. The case was upgraded to a homicide investigation on 29th April, almost six weeks after his disappearance. Remains found on his farm at Carrig in May 2025 were subsequently identified as those of the sheep farmer, more than eight weeks after he had gone missing.
Source: Irish Independent