Gardaí believe Killarney murder suspect has fled the country

GARDAÍ BELIEVE SUSPECT in Killarney murder of US woman Jamey Carney in Killarney fled the country in the hours after the killing.

Detectives have contacted Europol and Interpol as their enquiries have led them to fear that the man, who is from the Middle East, may have fled Ireland after the killing. 

Sources have said that gardaí were working on two theories in their search – that he may still be hiding in Ireland or that he fled the country, possibly to Turkey, in the hours after the murder. 

American woman Jamey Carney (43) was found dead with severe head injuries in her house in Homeland, a small estate of detached houses on the Muckross Road in Killarney. She was originally from New York. 

She worked for a telehealth and outsourcing company based in the US and Ireland, and had been living in Ireland for the past four years. She is survived by her teenage daughter. 

She was found dead with severe head injuries inside her home on Tuesday.

Gardaí have collected a large amount of forensic evidence from the scene, they have also obtained CCTV, not just from near the house where it happened but also from the town and other locations. 

They have liaised with airports and ports and sources have said there is a concern that someone fitting the suspect’s description may have left the country. 

The suspect is from the Middle East and has been in Ireland for a number of years where he has been in the international protection system. He hails from a location in the region which has a good connection with Europe, Britain and Ireland.

Advertisement

The fear is that he may have caught a flight to Turkey and then on to his home country. While extradition would be difficult it is not impossible given that his home country has good relations with Ireland. 

Gardaí also believe he may have been interacting with his social media accounts. The suspect has a significant online footprint across numerous social media accounts. 

A source told us yesterday that gardaí have detected activity on at least one of the accounts that suggest someone, possibly the murderer, is actively interacting with it. 

The account changed from an open publicly accessible one yesterday evening to a private one. 

A source said that phone tracking capabilities may identify the suspect but if this has gone international it will be dependent on liaison with Interpol to coordinate it. 

Gardaí generally cannot identify suspects publicly unless it is absolutely needed to assist. Their argument for not identifiying publicly is that it may endanger their investigation in the long term and any potential court cases that follow. 

The gardaí are understood to have a good connection with the social media company involved, and it is believed law enforcement liaison agents within the company will be contacted. 

Sources said gardaí have also identified family members and associates of the suspect, and they will talk to them. 

With reporting from Eimer McAuley.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal