The Jordanian government has confirmed that a man whom gardaí wish to speak to in connection with the murder of Jamey Carney is being detained in Jordan and an investigation is under way there.
A statement issued by the Ministries of Interior and Justice said the security authorities in Jordan had received a report from Irish authorities in relation to the murder of an American woman in Ireland.
It said initial investigations indicated that a Jordanian citizen was suspected of committing the crime and that the security authorities immediately launched search and investigation operations.
The Jordanian ministries say the suspect, his home and location were discovered before he was tracked, arrested and a statement taken from him “according to standard procedures”.
Jamey Carney was found dead at her home in Killarney
The Jordanian authorities say the man was then referred to the Public Prosecutor of the Major Criminal Court, who initiated the investigation.
The court in Jordan ordered his detention for 15 days at the Correctional and Rehabilitation Center to continue the investigation.
Ms Carney, a 43-year-old US citizen who was the mother of a 13-year-old girl, was found dead in her rented home in Killarney last week.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said he believes that “innovative mechanisms” could allow gardaí investigating Ms Carney’s murder “bring back” a person of significant interest in the garda investigation to Ireland.
This is despite no extradition agreement existing with Jordan.
Mr O’Callaghan was speaking at an informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers at Dublin Castle.
‘Innovative mechanisms’ could be used to ‘bring back’ person of interest – O’Callaghan
When asked to respond to confirmation that the person gardaí would like to speak to has been held in Jordan and can be for the next 15 days, the minister said An Garda Síochána has “very good relationships” with their colleagues in Jordan.
The minister confirmed no extradition agreement exists between Ireland and Jordan “at present”.
However, without elaborating, he said he believes gardaí may have “innovative mechanisms” at their disposal which could allow them to question the man either in Jordan or in Ireland.
“Well I would hope the gardaí will be able to speak with that suspect,” he said.
He added: “We know there’s very good relationships with An Garda Síochána and other police forces throughout the world, so I suspect that An Garda Síochána are in touch with their Jordanian colleagues in respect of it.
“We don’t have an extradition agreement in place with Jordan at present, but I don’t think that should necessarily be the end of it,” he said.
“I think there are mechanisms, innovative mechanisms available that could allow the gardaí to question the suspect out in Jordan and even perhaps bring him back.”
Asked if he has a timeline for when this could take place, Mr O’Callaghan added: “I don’t.”