US police assisting gardaí in hunt for man linked to Jamey Carney murder investigation

Local plans for a vigil remain on hold as investigators pursue international inquiries and family members gather in Killarney

Ahmad Al-Saqar, 28, and Jamey Carney, 43. Picture: Social media

Investigators leading the murder investigation into Jamey Carney's death are hoping their American policing partners can help advance the search for a man who fled the country after the killing.

Ahmad Al-Saqar, 28, who had been living in Killarney since 2024, is known to have flown to Turkey from Dublin Airport on Tuesday morning.

Gardaí have identified him as a person of "significant interest" in their investigation into the death of Ms Carney at her rented home in the Homeland estate on Muckross Road in Killarney. 

However, because he has not been charged in connection with her death, he cannot be extradited, even if his whereabouts become known to investigators.

He is not currently listed on Interpol's Red Notice database or the organisation's Yellow Notice system for missing persons. 

Nor does he appear on Europol's EU Most Wanted list.

Gardaí have said they are working with international policing partners to locate him, and it is understood those partners include law enforcement agencies in the United States.

However, one source described the search as having "an element of finding a needle in a haystack".

Investigators hope cooperation with US authorities will help progress the case, as Ms Carney was an American citizen. She moved to Killarney five years ago with her daughter, who is now a teenager.

The 43-year-old was found dead with serious injuries, her body concealed beneath bedding, at about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Vigil plans 

While local people in Killarney wish to hold a vigil in Ms Carney's memory, sources said her family — some of whom have travelled to the Kerry town — are not yet ready for such an event.

It is also feared such an event could be hijacked by people with an anti-immigrant agenda, with online commentary about the killing contributing to those concerns, according to one local source.

Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr John O'Donoghue, said the case has attracted international attention, with US media now focusing on the investigation.

He said there are two priorities arising from the killing: supporting the welfare of Ms Carney's daughter and ensuring the person responsible is brought to justice.