A sentencing hearing for Kilkenny hurling legend DJ Carey, who pleaded guilty to dishonestly inducing 13 people to give him money to fund treatment for cancer he did not have, is under way.
The 13 included businessman Denis O’Brien who, the court heard on Friday, gave Carey sums of more than €125,000, as well as the use of accommodation and a car, over several years.
A Garda investigation into Carey’s deception arose after a financial institution became suspicious when an older woman sought to transfer funds to him, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
Carey (54) had told several people who gave him money he needed funds for cancer treatment in Seattle and was due substantial money from medical negligence and other cases that he claimed to have taken, Judge Martin Nolan heard during the sentencing hearing.
Carey had also asked a distant cousin for money just days after Carey’s father’s funeral, the court was told.
Carey had in late 2022 told gardaí he had been sick in 2012 with a virus around his heart wall and, at that time, made up a story he was sick with cancer in order to buy time because he had a substantial debt with Allied Irish Bank, the court also heard.
The sentencing hearing began at 12pm and resumed at 2pm.
Carey was due to be sentenced on Wednesday but the hearing was adjourned after the court was told he was in Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.
Judge Nolan said he would defer the sentencing hearing to Friday. The court is expected to hear victim impact statements and submissions on behalf of the prosecution and defence.
The nine-time All-Star hurler, who won five All-Ireland senior titles for Kilkenny, pleaded guilty last July to 10 of 21 charges he was facing. The State asked that a nolle prosequi (no prosecution) be entered in relation to another charge, with the other charges to be taken into consideration.
Colman Cody SC, for Carey, told the court that while his client did not have cancer, he had “genuinely significant” health issues. Carey underwent heart surgery last year, is under continuing care for a “genuine” heart condition and there are mental health issues, counsel added.
[ How DJ Carey went from superstar hurler to serial fraudster in spectacular downfallOpens in new window ]
The charges brought against Carey relate to offences between 2014 and 2022. The charges fell under sections six and 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. A section six offence – making gain or causing loss by deception – carries a sentence of a fine and/or a maximum term of five years’ imprisonment. A section 26 offence – using a false instrument- renders a convicted offender liable to a fine and/or a maximum 10-year prison term.
Among the 10 charges admitted by Carey is that he, dishonestly and by deception, induced Mr O’Brien to give him money to pay for cancer treatment on unknown dates between January 2014 and September 2022.
He pleaded guilty to the same offence in relation to: Owen and Ann Conway on unknown dates between March 25th, 2021 and November 3rd, 2022; Mark and Sharon Kelly on unknown dates between May 26th, 2021, and December 10th, 2022; Aidan Mulligan on unknown dates between June 1st, 2022, and September 22nd, 2022; Edwin Carey on unknown dates between December 21st, 2021, and November 12th, 2022; former Clare hurler Tony Griffin and Christy Browne on unknown dates between September 1st, 2022, and October 26th, 2022; Thomas Butler on unknown dates between October 1st, 2019, and November 11th, 2022; Jeffrey Howes on unknown dates between February 1st, 2022, and August 8th, 2022; Noel Tynan on unknown dates between January 1st, 2017 and October 12th, 2022; and Aonghus Leydon on unknown dates between March 14th, 2022, and March 21st, 2022.
[ Once a star who had it all, DJ Carey’s life has been reduced to a squalid tale of deceptionOpens in new window ]
The total amount involved in the deception was not disclosed in court.
Regarded as one of the greatest hurlers, Carey captained Kilkenny to Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 2003 and was also a member of the victorious teams in the All-Ireland finals of 1992, 1993, 2000 and 2002.
He was named Hurler of the Year in 2000 and won nine All-Star awards. Since retiring from play, he has managed the Kilkenny U21 hurlers and was a selector for the county senior team.
