Jamey Carney murder: Suspect arrested in Jordan to remain in custody for 15 days

Jordanian authorities confirmed the detention after Irish officials sought assistance following the murder of the US citizen in Kerry

Jamey Carney RIP. Photo: Facebook

The man arrested in Jordan in connection with the murder of Jamey Carney in Kerry will be detained for 15 days while the case is investigated.

Jordan's justice and interior ministries confirmed that a man was arrested after Irish authorities contacted them about the murder of an American woman in Ireland.

“Initial investigations indicate that a Jordanian citizen is suspected of committing the crime,” a statement from the Jordanian Ministries of Interior and Justice said.

Jordanian security authorities "immediately launched search and investigation operations", the statement said.

They tracked the man after locating his residence and whereabouts.

“He was arrested, his statement was taken according to standard procedures, and he was then referred to the Public Prosecutor of the Major Criminal Court, who initiated the investigation and ordered his detention for 15 days at the Correctional and Rehabilitation Center to continue the investigation,” the Jordanian Ministries of Interior and Justice said.

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

More than 200 mourners gathered for her funeral in Killarney on Wednesday.

Her boyfriend, Ahmad Al-Saqar, was with the mother of one on the evening before her body was found, according to sources. However, he left the country early the following morning, boarding a flight to Turkey before Ms Carney's body was discovered in her bed by her 13-year-old daughter.

Mr Al-Saqar, a Jordanian national, was later arrested in Jordan.

Garda sources said that, if investigators travel to Jordan to question Mr Al-Saqar, it is unlikely to happen for a number of weeks.

If gardaí do question Mr Al-Saqar, one issue they are expected to examine is why he left Ireland immediately after Ms Carney was killed, travelling to Dublin Airport in the early hours and boarding a flight before her body was discovered.

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

However, gardaí do not need to question a person before extradition proceedings can begin.

If the evidence against an individual is considered sufficient and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directs that criminal charges be brought, a request for extradition can be made without the suspect first being interviewed by gardaí.

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

However, Garda sources have said they did not request his arrest.

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

It is understood gardaí are not seeking any other suspects or persons of interest in connection with Ms Carney's death.

The Garda investigation remains ongoing.

CCTV footage and other video evidence are understood 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 has been charged with a criminal offence. No charges have been brought against Mr Al-Saqar.

However, gardaí are continuing to investigate the case and may submit a file to the DPP, who will decide whether criminal charges should be brought.

In Jordan, a person accused of serious offences such as murder or assault can be detained for up to 18 months before trial.