Gardaí are carrying out a number of checkpoints in the Kenmare area today (Thursday, March 27) as part of the search for a missing Kerry farmer.

Officers are continuing to appeal to the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of Michael Gaine who has now been missing for a week.

Michael Gaine, who is also known as Mike, was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, on Friday (March 21).

The 56-year-old sheep and suckler farmer was last seen in Kenmare town, on this day last week, Thursday, March 20.

Superintendent David Callaghan of Tralee Garda Station said that Michael bought phone credit in Centra, Kenmare at 9:48a.m last Thursday.

He then left in his bronze coloured Toyota RAV4 jeep with a registration 152 KY 366. The vehicle was found parked in Michael Gaine's farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East

"It is now one week since the last sighting of Michael Gaine. Michael's family have had no contact from him and his family and An Garda Síochána are extremely concerned for his well-being," Superintendent Callaghan said.

Michael is described as being approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard.

When last seen, Michael was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.

Superintendent Callaghan said that searches have been carried out at Michael's farmyard and in the immediate area.

"An Garda Síochána continues to work with and is fully supported by other state and voluntary agencies in our ongoing efforts to locate Michael.

"An Garda Síochána wishes to thank members of the public who assisted in carrying out searches on open land last weekend," he added.

Agriland understands that slurry tanks at the farm yard were drained in recent days as part of the search.

Members of the Garda Water Unit are also understood to have joined the search yesterday.

Superintendent Callaghan said that gardaí are not requesting the assistance of the general public for further searches at this time.

However, he said that gardaí continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday, March 20.

He also appealed to anyone with any camera footage, including dashcam or CCTV, or any other images from Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21 in the Kenmare town and Moll’s Gap area to provide that imagery to the garda investigation team.

"Anyone with information on Michael's whereabouts is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station," Superintendent Callaghan added.