An asylum seeker was on the run last night, after a mum was beaten to death in her own home.

The Middle Eastern suspect is now being hunted over the brutal murder in Co Kerry, Ireland, yesterday of an American-born mum of one, who had lived in Killarney for the past five years. She was named locally as Jamey Carney, the mother to a 13-year-old girl. Gardai (police) are set to launch a murder inquiry as early as Wednesday morning.

The asylum seeker suspect, who was known to Ms. Carney, previously lived in France, and there were fears last night that he may now try to flee Ireland after the killing.

"There is a major search for him," a source told us last night.

We have learned the suspect, who is in his 20s, has been living at an IPAS center in Killarney, but knew Ms. Carney and occasionally stayed at her house in the Muckross Road area of the town, where her body was found yesterday afternoon.

He is believed to have been living in Ireland since the middle of 2024 and was an applicant for international protection.

Gardai at the scene after a woman's body was found at a house in Killarney (Image: Don MacMonagle)

Ms. Carney, who was a native of New York, was found dead in her bed after her young daughter raised the alarm to a family friend at around 1:20 p.m. yesterday when she became concerned for her welfare.

That friend then contacted a man she knew, who immediately phoned gardai. Officers then rushed to the scene, but Ms. Carney, 43, was then pronounced dead in her own bed. Sources tell us Ms. Carney's body had been hidden by a duvet being placed over her.

We have learned that she suffered serious head injuries after being subjected to a brutal attack - and gardai are set to launch a murder inquiry.

"There is no doubt she was murdered," a source said.

Although her body was found at around 1:30 p.m., sources tell us investigators believe Ms. Carney was beaten to death late on Monday night or into the early hours of yesterday, and lay dead in her bed for up to 13 hours.

Carney was the mother of one teenage girl (Image: Irish Mirror)

"It probably happened overnight," a source confirmed.

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We have also learned that the sound of an argument between Ms. Carney and a man could be heard in the house late on Monday night.

Ms. Carney was well known in the area, even though she had only been in Ireland for around five years.

Local non-party councilor Martin Grady had provided her with professional assistance in recent years and said the entire community was devastated by her death.

"I knew her well. Everyone is really shocked, " he said.

He added: "She was a loving mother and a very hard worker. I would encourage people to help gardai in this investigation.

"No matter how big or small the information they have, please just give it to the gardai. This is an absolute tragedy."

And fellow councilor John O'Donoghue, of Kerry Independent Alliance, who knew Ms Carney to see, said: "The air has just gone out of the town. It is cloaked in sadness."

Ms. Carney was also heavily involved in the local Palestine support campaign and was well known and respected in the town.

Gardai appealed for witnesses last night. The force said in a statement, "Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at a domestic residence this afternoon. A woman, aged in her 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"The State Pathologist has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course. The scene is currently preserved for technical examination.

"A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda station."

It added: "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

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

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Investigations are ongoing."

Ms. Carney was originally from New York and just a few days ago took to social media to wish fellow Americans happy Independence Day on July 4.

And she also posted how much she enjoyed attending a concert in Dublin by The Cure last week.