Michael Kelley seeks new barristers ahead of Mike Gaine murder trial

Michael Kelley, who is charged with murdering County Kerry farmer Mike Gaine, wants new barristers before his trial in Dublin, the Central Criminal Court heard on Friday, 9 October. The judge set a review for 23 October so replacement counsel can study the case, while keeping the trial scheduled for 11 January 2027.

Defence barrister Brendan Grehan SC told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that Kelley wanted alternative counsel. Grehan applied for permission for himself and fellow barrister Richard Liston BL to withdraw, according to RTÉ's account of the hearing. The report did not identify who would replace them.

What changes in Michael Kelley's defence team

Grehan said he and Liston had met Kelley a few times. He told the court that Kelley's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, would stay on the case and that arrangements were being made to instruct other counsel. Kelley appeared by video link and told the judge he agreed with the arrangement described in court.

McDermott said the application for counsel to withdraw was appropriate. He listed the case for a management review on 23 October, explaining that the interval would give new counsel time to read the papers. He said the trial date remained as it was despite the proposed change in barristers.

January trial date and the 191 witnesses

The trial is set to begin at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on 11 January 2027. RTÉ described it as a planned nine-week trial. The October hearing concerned legal representation and case preparation; the judge did not move the start date, according to RTÉ's report.

The scale of the case was already apparent when the date was fixed in June. TheJournal.ie reported that the book of evidence listed 191 witnesses and that the prosecution estimated the trial would last up to nine weeks. The Irish Times separately reported the same witness figure and an estimate of eight to nine weeks.

At that June hearing, the judge said a case of this length could not be assigned to Cork, The Irish Times reported. The trial was therefore scheduled for Dublin. TheJournal.ie reported at the time that Kelley was in custody in Cork Prison and that arrangements had been made for him to attend the hearing by video link.

The composition of Kelley's legal team has changed before. TheJournal.ie reported in June that Buttimer had taken over as his solicitor from Patrick Mann. Grehan, then leading the defence team, told the court Buttimer had accepted instructions to act for Kelley. At Friday's hearing, Grehan said Buttimer would continue in that role as Kelley sought different barristers.

The charge and Mike Gaine's disappearance

Kelley, 54, faces one count of murdering Gaine, 56, at Carrig, Kenmare, on a date unknown between 20 and 21 March 2025. He was sent forward for trial in May 2026 after being served with the book of evidence, RTÉ reported. The allegation is a charge to be tried in court, not a finding of guilt.

Gaine, a sheep farmer, was reported missing from his home on 21 March 2025. A search of his farm and surrounding area followed. RTÉ reported that the case was upgraded to a homicide investigation on 29 April and that remains found on his farm in May 2025 were identified as his.

The next scheduled step is the 23 October case management review. The court reports do not name Kelley's prospective new barristers or establish whether they have formally been appointed. The January trial date remains in place, and the outcome of the charge remains for the court to determine.