A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of murder by gardaí investigating the disappearance of Kenmare sheep farmer Michael Gaine.
The man was arrested this afternoon after last night gardaí confirmed that materials found on Mr Gaine's farm are partial human remains.
The man is being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in Co Kerry and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
Gardaí continue to carry out searches and technical examinations at lands at Carrig East in Kenmare.
Watch: Paschal Sheehy reports on the latest developments
In a statement, gardaí said: "The family of Michael Gaine have been informed of this arrest and An Garda Síochána continue to support Michael's family through a Family Liaison Officer. The family have requested privacy at this time.
"Gardaí continue to appeal to the public assistance in this investigation.
"The Garda investigation team can be contacted at Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána."
A hearse bearing partial human remains recovered from the farmyard of Mr Gaine has left the property, en route to University Hospital Kerry in Tralee where they will be examined by pathologist SallyAnne Collis.
Material later confirmed by gardaí to be human tissue was first discovered as slurry was being spread on Mr Gaine's farm on Friday evening.
Since then, as a forensics and technical examination re-commenced at the farmyard, more human tissue was recovered.
DNA analysis will be required to confirm identification, but the working assumption is that the partial human remains are those of Mr Gaine.
There were sombre scenes as members of Mike Gaine's family and several of his friends gathered at the entrance to the farmyard as the hearse left at teatime.
Michael Gaine, also known as Mike, has been missing from his farm in Kenmare since 20 March.
Initially, his disappearance was treated by gardaí as a missing person's case.
That changed just over a fortnight ago when gardaí said they were satisfied Mr Gaine was dead and that they had re-classified his disappearance as a homicide investigation.
Earlier, members of the Garda Water Unit joined a Garda Technical Bureau team in the investigation into his disappearance.
It is the second time in the eight-and-a-half weeks since Mr Gaine went missing that members of the Garda Water Unit have been brought in to assist the investigation.
The unit provides operational support and search capability to other garda units and outside agencies in marine environments and also in hazardous locations.
Its members are regularly called in for investigations relating to murders and serious crime, missing persons and evidence recovery.
Throughout the day, gardaí have been lifting slatted slabs covering an underground slurry tank in a cow shed in the yard, and sifting through material being taken from the tank.
An excavator is being used in the operation.
A fire truck and a fire and rescue four-wheel drive vehicle also arrived on the farm.
With gases from the slurry, it is a hazardous environment and it is understood that this may be one of the areas where Garda Water Unit members will assist the investigating team.
As the examination of the yard and the fields surrounding it continues, it is understood that gardaí are continuing to find further pieces of human tissue and flesh. These are being gathered for forensic testing.
