The person of interest in the murder of Jamey Carney has been arrested in his home country of Jordan, it has emerged.
The Irish Mirror has learned that Ms Carney’s boyfriend Ahmed Al-Saqar was arrested by Jordanian police in recent days.
Sources tell us the Jordanian Directorate of Public Security - the main policing body in the Middle Eastern country - ordered his detention when officers learned he had come to the country late last week.
Irish officials were made aware of the arrest on Monday.
The arrest follows Mr Al-Saqar leaving Killarney in the early hours of Tuesday morning and flying from Dublin to Istanbul a few hours later - before gardai were even aware New York-born Ms Carney was dead.
Investigators believe asylum seeker Al-Saqar travelled to Jordan shortly after he landed in Turkey and was trying to make his way to Al-Husn, 65km north of the capital Amman and his hometown.
It’s understood the security decided to arrest the 28-year-old, who sought asylum in Ireland in June 2024 and was appealing a refusal of that application when Ms Carney was killed, when they became aware he had come back to Jordan.
Sources tell us Jordanian cops arrested him because they were aware he was at the centre of the Garda manhunt - and despite receiving no request to detain him by Irish authorities.
Normally, such an arrest would only happen if Irish authorities formally requested such a move after the Director of Public Prosecutions here authorised gardai to charge a suspect.
Only then can authorities in Ireland issue a warrant for a suspect’s arrest - and extradition back to Ireland.
The DPP has made no such direction yet - but that has not stopped Jordanian cops arresting Mr Al-Saqar.
It’s understood he can be held without charge for months in Jordan.
That will give gardai time to complete their inquiries and send a file to the DPP - who will then decide if anyone is to be charged over the murder of Ms Carney.
News of Ms Carney’s murder made headlines around the world - especially in her native New York.
We revealed last week that Mr Al-Saqar, 28, was a failed asylum seeker who fled Ireland last Tuesday.
Gardai in Killarney are continuing their murder probe.
We have contacted the Garda and Department of Foreign Affairs for comment.
Asked if he can confirm whether Irish authorities are in contact with US authorities in tracking down the person of interest in the investigation into Jamey Carney's death, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "Our sympathies are with the Carney family after the after the horrific loss of Jamie, and there's obviously a very ongoing activr investigation in relation to this murder inquiry, and everybody wants to see justice done.
"Obviously, the Irish authorities will be working hand in glove with any and all international authorities that may be required to ensure justice for Jamie and the apprehension of her killer. We obviously don't comment on ongoing investigations beyond that but Ireland will be engaging intensively to make sure justice is served."
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