An American expatriate in Ireland, Jamey Carney, who recently inherited approximately $1 million, was found dead in her Killarney home on July 7. Her death was initially attributed to suffocation, with reports suggesting she may have been bludgeoned. The primary person of interest in the investigation is her fiancé, Ahmad Al-Saqar, a Jordanian asylum seeker who has since been arrested in Jordan.
Carney, 43, had relocated to Killarney, County Kerry, five years prior with her young daughter, seeking a life connected to her Irish heritage. She had established a new career, made friends, and was known for her left-wing political views, including advocacy for Palestine, a cause through which she is believed to have met Al-Saqar, who is 15 years her junior.
Her financial situation improved significantly when she inherited the substantial sum following her father's death in the United States. This inheritance allowed her to move into a larger, more luxurious rented home in Killarney. Social media posts from April showed Al-Saqar referring to Carney as "my bride and my princess" and indicating a recent engagement.
Al-Saqar is believed to have entered Ireland by exploiting a UK immigration loophole that allowed Jordanian nationals to obtain a travel authorization visa for £10. This allowed him to travel to Northern Ireland and subsequently cross the border to Dublin, where he claimed asylum in June 2024. After his asylum claim was initially denied, he was granted subsidiary protection, which allowed him to have his passport returned. Authorities suspect he used this to flee Ireland shortly before his wanted status could be circulated.
CCTV footage indicates Al-Saqar left Killarney early on July 7, traveling to Dublin and then taking a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. He is believed to have subsequently traveled to Jordan. Irish authorities informed Interpol of his status, and he was apprehended by Jordanian security forces. However, Ireland has no extradition treaty with Jordan, complicating efforts to bring him back to face potential charges in Ireland. Garda detectives have visited Jordan to liaise with local authorities regarding his return.
Conflicting accounts from local sources suggest potential motives for the killing, including a jealous rage if Carney attempted to end the relationship, or a financial motive, citing a reported request for €5,000 from Al-Saqar in the week prior to her death.
Carney's family expressed concern about her relationship with Al-Saqar, with her cousin Ryan Fox noting her vulnerability as a single mother in a new country and suggesting she may have been seeking support and a male role model for her daughter. Her mother had reportedly voiced concerns that Al-Saqar might be after her inheritance.
Following Carney's death, her family and friends have condemned what they describe as a deluge of racist and misogynistic comments on social media that blamed Carney for her death. Irish officials have called for tech companies to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such content. Carney's cousin and a friend have urged against using her murder to fuel bigotry or racism.
Carney, originally from Armonk, New York, had been active in her community in Killarney and was described by friends and family as kind, generous, and passionate about justice. Her funeral mass was held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Killarney, attended by over 200 people.
Al-Saqar remains in custody in Jordan, where authorities can hold him for extended periods. While extradition is not guaranteed due to the lack of a treaty, it can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. There is also a possibility that Jordan could prosecute him for the death, even though it occurred in Ireland.
The investigation by Garda Síochána into the murder of Jamey Carney is ongoing.