DJ Carey pleads guilty to defrauding people over cancer treatment claims

Former hurling star DJ Carey has pleaded guilty to inducing people to give him money after fraudulently claiming to have cancer.

Billionaire Denis O’Brien is among the several people the ex-Kilkenny sportsman induced to pay him money by fraudulently claiming he needed to fund cancer treatment.

Carey, 54, is one of the most acclaimed figures in GAA history, having won five All-Ireland titles and nine All-Star awards.

When he retired from inter-county hurling in 2006, he was hailed as an “idol” for young players and a legend of the game.

Carey appeared in court in late 2023 charged with 21 counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, at which point a four-week trial was expected to take place this year.

At the Circuit Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, his legal team told the court that a jury would not be required before he pleaded guilty to 10 counts.

Carey, dressed in a suit and wearing a patterned tie, only spoke during the brief appearance to plead “guilty” to the ten charges.

It was put to him that he induced various people, at dates between 2014 and 2022, to make a monetary payment to him after fraudulently claiming to have cancer and needing finances to obtain treatment, with the intention of making a gain to him and causing a loss to another.

In relation to Mr O’Brien, he was charged with inducing him to make a payment to him between January 2014 and late 2022.

Among the others he is charged with inducing to make payments to him for fraudulent cancer treatment are Aidan Mulligan, between June and September 2022; Christy Browne, between September and October 2022; Thomas Butler, between October 2019 and November 2022; Jeffrey Howes, between February 1 2022 and August 8 2022; Noel Tynan, between January 1 2017 and October 2022, and Edwin Carey, between December 21 2021 and November 12 2022.

The court heard from Carey’s defence team that while cancer was referred to in the indictment, Carey “does have very genuine health conditions” and required surgery for a heart condition last year.

The court heard he needs to attend check-ups periodically and that evidence from his surgeons can be provided.

Separately, he also said a psychological report may be required.

Carey’s defence team suggested to Ms Justice Patricia Ryan that legal aid may need to be extended as a result, “out of an abundance of caution”.

The judge agreed to its extension.

A sentencing date has been set for Wednesday October 29 and Carey was remanded on bail until then.

Carey left the Criminal Courts of Justice shortly after the brief appearance, which concluded just after 10.10am on Wednesday.