Gardaí have described the scale and nature of the search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine as "unique and challenging".
A renewed appeal for information has been issued for Mr Gaine, who was last seen in Kenmare on 20 March.
Speaking outside Kenmare Garda Station today, Superintendent David O'Callaghan said it was possibly "one of the largest searches" gardaí have conducted in the Kerry division in recent times
"That’s illustrated by the volume of support we’ve received from other agencies."
He added: "The search is continuing, and it will continue through the weekend and into next week. That’s reviewed on a daily basis from the incident room.
"To say that we are still searching highlights the mystery about Michael Gaine’s whereabouts and that’s challenging. We’re not any closer to finding him than we were."
An Garda Síochána is examining up to 230 formal enquiries and has taken nearly 100 witness statements. Investigators have also recovered close to 1,500 hours of CCTV and dash-cam footage.
For operational reasons, Supt O’Callaghan declined to give details on reports of a number of items, believed to be hunting equipment, which were found in a rocky location a week ago.
"Items were discovered, and we have taken them into our possession. I’m not going to comment on the relevance, if any, in relation to the whereabouts of Michael Gaine. It’s well documented that his vehicles were seized and taken to be examined and other items. I’m not going to be specific in relation to the items."
"I am aware of the rumours and speculation that are widespread in the community, and I don’t think it would be suitable for me to add to that rumour and speculation and that aspect is of no assistance to any ongoing investigation and I don’t wish to add to that."
In renewing the appeal for information from the public, Supt O'Callaghan said it was a very distressing time for Michael Gaine’s family.
"The family are extremely concerned. They have asked for privacy at this time and that should be respected. It’s a very difficult time in relation to the fact that we are not in any way closer to locating Michael Gaine or his whereabouts and that’s very challenging for them."
Mr Gaine was last seen in Kenmare on the morning of 20 March, where he purchased phone credit in the local Centra shop. His bronze-coloured RAV4 152 KY 366 was found in his farmyard the following day. There were a number of personal items in the car.
A massive search has been ongoing for the past three weeks. The multi-agency effort has included An Garda Siochana, Civil Defence, the Coastguard, Kerry Mountain Rescue and up to 250 local volunteers. Up to 50 members of the Defence Forces have also been assisting in the search.
Mr Gaine’s farm comprises over 1,000 acres of land, much of which is rough and remote mountain and bogland. Overgrown waterways running through the land are also being searched.
The Garda helicopter and drones have been involved in aerial surveys. The Garda Water Unit has tasked divers to search a number of nearby lakes and a disused quarry. Trained sniffer dogs have also assisted in the search.
A number of slurry tanks on Mr Gaine’s farm were emptied and excavation was carried out by diggers in the farmyard. The investigation is still being treated as a missing person case. Gardaí say they have yet to make a significant breakthrough.
Gardaí have issued another appeal for information. In particular they want to speak with anyone who travelled on the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney on 20 March, after 9.48am.
They are also seeking any dashcam footage or CCTV footage taken in the Moll’s Gap area from 20-21 March.
Gardaí say anyone with any information should contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
