Irish police are facing mounting criticism for their decision not to publicly identify the suspect in the murder of American citizen Jamey Carney, allowing the individual to leave the country before authorities issued alerts.
Carney, 43, a New York native who moved to Ireland in 2021, was found dead in her home in Killarney, County Kerry, on Tuesday. Irish police described the sought individual as a "person of interest" who had traveled to Dublin Airport and boarded a flight to Turkey before Carney's body was discovered. Some Irish publications have reported the person of interest is an asylum seeker from Jordan who arrived in Ireland in 2024.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker questioned the withholding of identifying information, stating, "How is the public supposed to help with locating the alleged suspect when Irish authorities won't even release his name? Time is of the essence. Every hour or day increases the chance the suspect disappears, destroys evidence or hurts others." Parker added that U.S. authorities would typically release such information immediately to enlist public assistance.
Dublin City Councilor Gavin Pepper echoed these concerns, calling the delay a serious public safety issue. "That man had a substantial head start," Pepper said. "At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what color your skin is. If you commit a heinous crime, your face should be all over every newspaper, every TV station. A manhunt is a manhunt."
Irish police cited legal reasons for not commenting on the individual's age, name, or nationality, though no specific legal basis was provided. Reports suggest a 2015 immigration law protecting asylum seekers' identities may be a factor. When asked for clarification, Irish police stated they had "no additional updates at this time."
Carney's body was discovered by her 13-year-old daughter. Within an hour of the discovery, Irish police issued alerts to transportation hubs, but the person of interest had already departed Ireland. The investigation has since expanded to include Interpol, Europol, and Turkish authorities, with concerns that the suspect may have already left Turkey.
Carney, originally from Westchester County, New York, moved to Ireland in 2021. Her social media described her as a "New Yorker in Ireland" and showed support for the Free Palestine movement. Her sister, Devon Bennett, described Carney as a "caring human being" dedicated to fighting for others' rights. Carney's LinkedIn profile indicated she worked in healthcare outsourcing in Ireland, having previously been an insurance agent and real estate salesperson in the New York metropolitan area.
The killing occurs amid a reported rise in violent incidents against women in Ireland. Analysis by Gript.ie indicates that of eight women who died violently this year, only one suspect identified or sought was an Irish national. Ireland does not record the ethnicity of crime suspects.