The prime suspect in the murder of mother Jamey Carney is believed to have escaped Ireland within hours of the crime, according to gardai. Insiders reveal that officers have discovered the Middle Eastern asylum seeker took a flight from Dublin Airport to Istanbul in Turkey late on Tuesday morning - mere hours before Ms Carney's body was found at her residence in Killarney, Co Kerry.
Investigation Blow as Suspect Leaves Ireland
Detectives investigating the murder of the 43-year-old mother-of-one initially suspected that the individual had left Killarney and was attempting to flee the country - but remained hopeful he was still within Ireland. However, information surfaced late on Wednesday indicating that the suspect had fled to Turkey around 11am on Tuesday. This development represents a significant blow to the Garda investigation - as it's likely the suspect will now utilise Turkey as a stepping stone to return to his home country - and potentially vanish, reports the Irish Mirror.
Jamey Carney's body was discovered at Homeland Estate, Muckross Road, Killarney, Kerry. Turkey has an extradition treaty with Ireland - but this can only be enacted if the Director of Public Prosecutions here issues a charge. The man cannot be extradited merely to face questioning here. Although Ireland does not have such a formal treaty with the man's home country, extradition could still occur if authorities there consent to an individual Irish request.
Challenges in Locating the Suspect
However, sources suggest it may prove challenging to locate the suspect in Turkey or his homeland - particularly if he is using false identification. "He could just disappear," one source said. The man, who has been seeking asylum in Ireland since mid-2024, is the prime suspect in the murder of US-born Ms Carney, who was brutally killed in her rented Killarney home's bedroom late on Monday night. He was acquainted with the victim and often stayed at her residence, despite officially living at an IPAS centre in the town.
Gardai at the scene after a woman’s body was found at a house in Killarney (Image: Don MacMonagle). Gardai suspect that after committing the murder, the man caught a bus from Killarney to Dublin around 3.30am. He then proceeded to Dublin Airport and flew to Turkey. The alarm wasn't raised until 1.30pm, by which time the suspect had long since left Ireland.
Discovery of the Body
Ms Carney was discovered dead in her bed after her young daughter alerted a family friend to her concerns for her mother's welfare around 1.20pm on Tuesday. This friend subsequently contacted a man she knew, who immediately rang the gardai. Officers swiftly arrived at the scene, but Ms Carney was declared dead in her own bed. Sources informed the Irish Mirror that Ms Carney's body had been concealed under a duvet. It is understood she sustained severe head injuries following a savage and extended assault.
News of the suspect's flight from Ireland emerged shortly after gardai confirmed that Ms Carney's death was now being investigated as a murder. The force affirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the investigation had been upgraded to a murder inquiry.
Garda Statement and Appeal
A spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a female at a domestic residence in Killarney on Tuesday 7th July 2026. A post-mortem examination on the remains of the deceased has been completed by the State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan. The results of this post-mortem examination are not being released for operational reasons. This investigation has now been upgraded to a murder investigation. The scene at Muckross Road, Killarney remains preserved, and a technical examination of this location is continuing. A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda station."
The force has once again urged witnesses to step forward. Their statement read: "Anyone who was in the Muckross Road area of Killarney between 11pm on the 6th of July and 5am on the 7th of July 2026 and who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Investigations are ongoing."
