Jamey Carney probe: Detention deadline looms for man held in Jordan

28-year-old in custody in Jordan having been arrested after travelling there in the hours after the death of Jamey Carney in Killarney

A social media photo of Ahmad Al-Saqar and Jamey Carney. Mr Al-Saqar is a person of interest in the investigation into the death of Ms Carney who was found dead in her home off the Muckross Rd in Killarney on Tuesday, July 7. File picture

The initial detention period for the man arrested in Jordan in connection with the murder of Jamey Carney at her home in Killarney is due to expire.

Ahmad Al-Saqar, aged 28, was arrested in Jordan after leaving Ireland in the hours following the violent death of Ms Carney, with whom he had been in a relationship.

He boarded a bus from Killarney to Dublin shortly after 3am before taking a flight to Turkey on July 7.

He travelled on to Jordan, where he is originally from, and was subsequently arrested by Jordanian authorities.

His period of detention was to last 15 days at a correctional and rehabilitation centre to allow authorities to investigate, according to the country's Ministries of Interior and Justice.

That period of detention runs out this week, though he may be held in Jordan for months — and could face prosecution there.

Ms Carney’s mother and daughter have remained in Kerry following her tragic death.

Two Irish detectives travelled to Jordan last week and met with police there.

Ahmad Al-Saqar a 'person of interest'

Gardaí have not issued an arrest warrant for Mr Al-Saqar but he has been a person of significant interest in their investigation into Ms Carney’s murder.

Gardaí are working on the case and may bring a file to he Director of Public Prosecutions in the coming weeks.

Jordan could also prosecute the Jordanian national over Ms Carney’s murder, even though she was killed in Ireland.

Under that country's law, he could be jailed there for months before any trial. On serious charges like murder and assault, a suspect can be held for up to 18 months before a trial in Jordan.

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 and no charges have been brought against Mr Al-Saqar in Ireland at his time.

Mr Al-Saqar’s family has criticised some media coverage of the case and said that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Ms Carney, 43, was born in New York and had Irish ancestry. She moved to Ireland with her daughter, now aged 13, in 2021 after visiting on holiday.

She was found dead in her rented home off Muckross Road in Killarney on Tuesday July 7.

She had been assaulted and died of asphyxiation.

'Janey was your sunshine'

The congregation at Ms Carney's funeral on July 15 heard her remembered as "a ray of sunshine" — cheerful, kind, selfless and adventurous.

“Jamey was your sunshine,” Fr Kieran O'Brien told mourners.

“Joy radiated from Jamey. She was bright, cheerful, full of life, described as such a kind person, selfless, small things were big things.” 

The death of Ms Carney this month brought the number of women who died violently in 2026 to eight. Seven women were killed in 2025.