'Asylum seeker' on the run after American woman beaten to death in Ireland

An alleged asylum seeker is on the run after an American woman was beaten to death in Ireland.

Jamey Carney, 43, originally from New York, moved to Killarney, County Kerry, around five years ago and lived with her teenage daughter.

She was found dead at an address on Muckross Road on Tuesday - with the Gardai (Irish police) now appealing for witnesses.

According to the Irish Mirror, the suspect is a Middle Eastern man known to Ms Carney, who previously lived in France.

The suspect was known to Ms Carney and fears have been raised he could now flee Ireland after the attack, according to the Irish Mirror.

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He is believed to have been living in Ireland since the middle of 2024 as a candidate for International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas).

He had been living at an Ipas centre in the town but occasionally stayed at the home of Ms Carney, according to local outlets.

One source told Irish media there was now a "major search" for the suspect.

Detectives have said they are following a definite line of inquiry to find the suspect, according to RTE.

In a statement, the Gardai said: "Anyone who was in the Muckross Road area of Killarney between the evening of the July 6 and the afternoon of July 7 2026 and who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating Gardai."

Neighbours said Ms Carney was very involved in the community and had a positive disposition.

Councillor John O'Donoghue told BBC News Killarney had fallen into a "complete malaise" and a "dark cloud" after her death.

Mr O'Donoghue, who also serves as the mayor of Killarney, said he did not know Ms Carney personally, but had often seen her walking in the area.

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He added that she lived in a small and relatively new housing development in a "very desirable" part of the town, described as the "Golden Mile".

Another councillor, Niall O'Callaghan, told BBC News: "We're devastated, we send deepest sympathy to the family."

He added: "I'm really sad and disappointed that this has happened to someone who was living in our community."

Talking of the shift in mood in Killarney, Mr O'Donoghue said the town had a "festival atmosphere", with tourists and local resident enjoying the sunshine.

"When this news broke yesterday, it was just like a dark cloud came over the town," he said.

Irish Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik gave her deepest sympathies to the family of Ms Carney during Leader's Questions in the Irish Parliament.

"As of yesterday the number of women killed violently in Ireland this year has overtaken the figure for the whole of 2025 - in just seven months," she said.

Mrs Bacik called on the Irish Government to back her party's proposal for a €3million "Safe Fund" to provide financial support payments for victim survivors of domestic violence.

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