Killarney murder suspect fled to Turkey via Dublin Airport, gardaí believe

Gardaí believe the main suspect in the killing of American Jamey Carney (43) in Killarney has fled Ireland, with Interpol now assisting the search.

Suspect in Killarney killing believed to have boarded flight to Turkey

Gardaí believe the main suspect in the murder of Jamey Carney (43) has fled Ireland and are now pursuing inquiries internationally, the Irish Times reports.

Carney, an American citizen originally from Westchester County, north of New York City, suffered fatal head injuries at her rented home in the Muckross Road area of Killarney. The attack occurred on Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday morning. She had a 13-year-old daughter.

Her body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon after a concerned relative called to the Homeland estate and found her remains. Gardaí sealed off the entrance to the estate of eight houses, and her remains were removed by hearse at 11.15am on Wednesday to University Hospital Kerry, where State pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan carried out a postmortem.

Gardaí confirmed on Wednesday night that the postmortem had been completed and that the inquiry had "now been upgraded to a murder investigation". A senior officer has been appointed to lead the case, and an incident room has been established at Killarney Garda station. A family liaison officer has been assigned to assist Carney's mother and sister, who remain in the United States.

Suspect caught early bus to Dublin

The man being sought is described as being from the Middle East and had befriended Carney after she moved to Killarney in 2021 — it is believed two of her grandparents were from Co Kerry. He had been granted permanent permission to remain in Ireland.

Detectives believe the suspect boarded an early-morning bus from Killarney to Dublin following the attack and made his way to Dublin Airport, where he caught a flight to Turkey. Gardaí are working to establish whether he subsequently travelled on to his home country.

In the hours after the body was found, officers carried out checks at Kerry, Cork and Dublin airports. The Police Service of Northern Ireland was also asked to monitor Belfast Airport. The man's social media accounts were locked on Wednesday night.

Garda sources confirmed that officers are liaising with Interpol to trace his movements following his arrival in Turkey.

Extradition a potential obstacle

Should the suspect be located, gardaí may face a considerable legal challenge in seeking his return. Under Irish law, extradition is only permitted where a person is to serve a sentence or be formally charged with an offence. Extradition for the purpose of investigation or questioning is not permitted. Gardaí can only seek extradition if the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that a charge be brought.

Because Carney held US citizenship and the man sought is from the Middle East, gardaí have expressed concern that the case could be taken up by far-right figures and US political actors seeking to stoke racial tensions in Ireland.

Carney had lived in Killarney since 2021 and had worked in Tralee for RelateCare for the previous four and a half years. Her father died eleven months ago. She is survived by her mother, sister and daughter.

Source: Irish Times