Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey has pleaded guilty to defrauding people out of money by claiming he needed to fund treatment for cancer he didn’t have.
The nine-time All-Star hurler, who won five All-Ireland senior titles for Kilkenny, stood in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with his hands clasped in front of him and pleaded guilty to 10 of the 21 charges he was facing.
Wearing a dark suit, blue shirt and patterned dark tie, Mr Carey (54) showed no emotion as Ms Justice Patricia Ryan was told by Dominic McGinn SC that the State was asking for a nolle prosequi in relation to another charge and that the other charges be taken into consideration.
Colman Cody SC, for Mr Carey, said his client had undergone heart surgery last year, was under continuing care for a “genuine” heart condition, and that there were also mental health issues. A sentencing hearing, he said, might take some time.
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Ms Justice Ryan set the sentencing hearing for October 29th next and remanded Carey on continuing bail.
Among the charges to which Mr Carey has pleaded guilty is that he did, dishonestly and by deception, induce the businessman Denis O’Brien to give him money to pay for cancer treatment on unknown dates between January 2014 and September 2022, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
The charges to which Mr Carey pleaded guilty also included 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.
The total amount involved in the deception was not disclosed in court.
Mr Carey is regarded as one of the greatest hurlers to have played the game.
He captained the county to Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 2003, while also being part of the victorious teams in 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.
He was named Hurler of the Year in 2000. Since retiring from the sport, he has managed the Kilkenny U21 hurlers and was a selector for the county senior team.
