Jamey Carney investigation: Gardaí may not travel to Jordan to question Ahmad Al-Saqar

At the earliest, it would be weeks before gardaí would apply to Jordanian authorities for a mutual assistance request to permit them travel there. And if permission is granted, gardaí would be there in an observational capacity

The photo of the late Jamey Carney that accompanied her death notice. Picture: RIP.ie

Gardaí may not travel to Jordan to question the person of interest in the murder investigation into the brutal killing of Jamey Carney in Killarney.

At the earliest, it would be weeks before gardaí would apply to Jordanian authorities for a mutual assistance request to permit them to travel there.

And if permission is granted, gardaí would be there in an observational capacity.

They would not be permitted to question the man under arrest — that would have to be done by the Jordanian authorities, a garda source said.

Ms Carney, 43, a US citizen who was living in Kerry, was found dead in her home off the Muckross road in Killarney on Tuesday afternoon, July 7.

Jamey Carney's mother Kathleen after the Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney Co Kerry, today, Wednesday. Picture: Larry Cummins

Her boyfriend, Ahmad Al-Saqar, was with the mother-of-one the evening before her body was found, sources said. But he left the country early that morning, boarding a plane to Turkey before Ms Carney’s body was discovered in her bed by her 13-year-old daughter.

Mr Al-Saqar was arrested in Jordan sometime later.

Extradition process

If gardaí do question Mr Al-Saqar, one question will be why he left Ireland immediately after Ms Carney was killed, travelling through the early morning to reach Dublin Airport and boarding a flight before her body was found.

But gardaí may not need to question someone to have them extradited. 

If evidence is strong enough against an individual and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directs that they be charged with an offence, this can be done without gardaí questioning a suspect.

Daniel Kinahan awaiting extradition

Daniel Kinahan, the alleged leader of the deadly and powerful Kinahan drug trafficking cartel, is currently in Dubai awaiting extradition from the UAE and gardaí did not travel there to question him before that order was granted, a garda source said.

“It depends on what we have in our file. We haven’t always travelled to question them. If you already have the evidence you already have the evidence. It’s up to the SIO [Senior Investigating Officer] and investigating team to decide if there is any point in going if he has been questioned by another police force already.” 

Gardaí have been actively liaising with Jordanian police since the search began for Mr Al-Saqar.

But gardaí did not request his arrest there.

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Ms Carney was a US citizen so it is believed that the US may have asked Jordan to arrest him.

Mr Al-Sakar a 'person of interest' 

Mr Al-Saqar remains a person of interest rather than a suspect in the Irish investigation.

But gardaí are not searching for other suspects or persons of interest in connection with Ms Carney’s killing, it is understood.

Ireland remains actively investigating the case.

CCTV and video footage is believed to form an important part of the investigation.

Although there is no extradition treaty between Ireland and Jordan, extraditions can be arranged on a case-by-case basis, according to an Interpol source.

Under Irish law, extradition can only be sought if a person is facing criminal charges. No charges have been brought against Mr Al-Saqar.

But gardaí are working on the case and may bring a file to the DPP which could result a charge can be brought.

In Jordan, a suspect can be held for up to 18 months before a trial on serious charges like murder and assault.