Gardai criticised for delay in releasing information about Jamey Carney suspect

An Garda Síochána have been criticised for a delay in releasing information on the person of interest in the killing of American woman Jamey Carney.

Ahmad Al-Saqar, 28, is originally from Jordan but had been living in Ireland for some time.

Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice, home affairs and migration, and chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, said: “Ensuring public safety and apprehending dangerous criminals must be the overriding priority for An Garda Síochána in serious cases.

The Monaghan TD said gardaí should clarify why the details of a person of interest were not released publicly in this case.

Mr Carthy said the law must facilitate An Garda Síochána publishing the name, photograph and other details of any person they are seeking to speak with in serious circumstances.

“I have submitted questions to the Justice Minister seeking clarity on this issue,” he said.

The Jordanian had posted multiple messages on Ms Carney’s Facebook account over recent weeks and the pair are pictured together frequently.

Mr Al-Saqar has not been seen since Tuesday morning, when gardaí called to his address. His social media pages were made private on Wednesday. It's understood his flight to Turkey had already taken off hours before the international alert came into force.

Alerts have been issued at ports and airports.

A garda spokesperson said they are now working with Interpol and Europol to co-ordinate with the Turkish authorities in tracing the suspect.

“As part of this ongoing investigation, An Garda Síochána is engaging with international law enforcement partners,” they said.

Gardaí have not publicly named or released any photographs of Mr Al-Saqar, but have appealed for information, witnesses and for dash-cam footage.

Although there is no formal legal restriction, it is standard practice within An Garda Síochána not to name persons of interest or suspects in criminal investigations outside of a courtroom setting.

In their latest public appeal, a garda spokesman has confirmed that a person of interest had left Ireland before he could be interviewed.

“An Garda Síochána is satisfied that a person of interest in this investigation left the jurisdiction in the early hours of Tuesday, July 7, prior to the body of the deceased female being discovered and reported to An Garda Síochána,” he said.

The investigation team is being helped by national units including the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

“Gardaí are continuing to appeal for any person with any information on this incident to come forward and speak to the investigation team,” a spokesperson said.

Ms Carney, originally from New York, was found with severe head and neck injuries in the bedroom at 1pm on Tuesday.

It is understood her teenage daughter was in the property at the time.

Ms Carney is the eighth woman to die violently in Ireland this year.