Flowers lie at home of Jamey Carney in Killarney as murder inquiry under way

Jamey Carney moved to Ireland with her daughter in 2021, after visiting on holiday and falling in love with the country. Picture: Facebook

Teenage girls and women fighting tears brought bouquets of flowers to the Killarney home where the body of Jamey Carney was found on Tuesday.

Gardaí maintained a cordon across the Homeland housing development on Muckross Rd where Ms Carney lived with her 13-year-old daughter.

A social media post from September shows her celebrating getting the keys to that house. 

She also posted a photo of the mountain view from her bedroom window, saying that she was blessed to live there.

It was that same room where her body would be found just months later, badly injured and covered in her own bedsheets.

Ms Carney suffered serious head injuries in what appears to have been an assault in the house.

The results of an autopsy, which has taken place at University Hospital Kerry, will not be released for operational reasons, but gardaí officially upgraded the investigation to a murder inquiry on Wednesday night.

Gardaí at the scene of Homeland Estate, Muckross Rd, Killarney where Ms Carney's body was found on Tuesday. Picture: macmonagle - killarney

Gardaí are searching for a man who was known to Ms Carney, whom they wish to speak to in connection with her death.

Ireland's ports and airports were placed on high alert for the man amid fears he may try to flee the country.

Gardaí working at ports and airports have been notified, as has the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The man gardaí are searching for is in his late 20s or early 30s. 

An argument had been overheard in Ms Carney’s rented home, a large detached house just minutes from Killarney town centre, the night before her body was found.

Ms Carney was born in New York and had Irish ancestry. 

She moved to Ireland with her daughter in 2021, after visiting on holiday and falling in love with the country.

She was described by locals as a devoted mother who was extremely caring and hard-working. 

She campaigned for Palestinian rights and was involved in sports locally.

Independent councillor Martin Grady, who knew Ms Carney, said that a black cloud now hangs over Killarney following her death.

“It's an awful shock to the local community,” Mr Grady said.

“I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. No matter what it is, please come forward."

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.

• Anyone who was in the Muckross Rd area of Killarney between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon 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.