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Hurling Legend DJ Carey Sentenced to Prison for Cancer Fraud Scheme
Former Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding multiple victims out of nearly €400,000 (£350,000) by falsely claiming he had cancer and needed money for treatment.
The 54-year-old, once revered as one of Ireland’s greatest hurlers, admitted to 10 charges in July involving 13 complainants. The court heard that Carey exploited the generosity of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who believed they were helping him through a life-threatening illness.
During Tuesday’s sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the judge described Carey’s actions as among “the most reprehensible fraud” imaginable, noting how he deliberately exploited people’s good nature and compassion.
Among the victims was Denis O’Brien, one of Ireland’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, who provided Carey with over €125,000 (£109,500), accommodation, and transportation. Other victims included Carey’s own cousin, friends, work colleagues, and individuals who knew him through his illustrious sporting career.
Carey’s elaborate deception involved claims that he was receiving specialized cancer treatment in Seattle and needed financial assistance. He also told some victims he was awaiting payment from the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a negligence case he falsely claimed to have filed against St. James’s Hospital in Dublin.
When Garda investigators looked into these claims, they found no evidence that Carey had ever been treated at the Seattle hospital he mentioned. His own GP had no record of any cancer diagnosis, and there was no pending litigation against the HSE or any hospital. Travel records showed Carey had not visited the United States since 2015.
When questioned by authorities in December 2022, Carey admitted fabricating the cancer story to buy time while dealing with substantial debt to Allied Irish Banks (AIB). Of the nearly €400,000 fraudulently obtained, only about €44,000 (£38,500) has been repaid to victims.
During the fraud investigation, a photograph purportedly showing Carey with an iPhone cable taped to his face circulated widely on social media. His legal team described these images as “completely fake and false,” stating that Carey had become the subject of “ridicule and derision” since the charges came to light.
Carey’s defense counsel told the court that the former hurler had “fallen into a rut” following financial difficulties after his business collapsed. The lawyer argued that Carey should have sought legitimate assistance rather than resorting to fraud, offering a “heartfelt, sincere apology” to every victim on his client’s behalf.
The defense also noted that Carey suffers from a chronic heart condition and urged the court not to impose what they termed a “disproportionate sentence.” However, the judge was unmoved, stating that a custodial term was inevitable given the nature of the offenses.
Before his dramatic fall from grace, Carey was one of hurling’s most celebrated figures, having won five All-Ireland championships with Kilkenny and earning multiple All-Star awards throughout his playing career. His conviction represents one of the most shocking downfalls of an Irish sporting icon in recent memory.
The judge praised the generosity of those who had given Carey money, saying they had responded compassionately in what they believed was his hour of need. However, the court determined that the systematic nature of Carey’s deception, coupled with the emotional manipulation of claiming to have cancer, merited a substantial prison sentence.
With little prospect of Carey being able to fully repay his victims in the immediate future, the sentencing marks the final chapter in a case that has shocked the Irish sporting community and beyond.
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12 Comments
It’s deeply troubling to see a public figure like DJ Carey engage in such an elaborate and manipulative fraud scheme. The fact that he exploited his own cousin and other close acquaintances makes this case all the more disturbing. Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call for more robust safeguards against these types of fraudulent activities.
Absolutely. The breach of trust is what makes this case so egregious. Careydisplayed a complete lack of remorse and empathy for his victims, many of whom were close to him. A lengthy prison sentence seems warranted to hold him accountable for his actions.
This is a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying claims, even from those we know and trust. While it’s admirable that Carey’s victims wanted to help him, they were ultimately taken advantage of. Fraudsters like Carey erode public trust and make it harder for those with genuine needs to receive support.
Well said. This case highlights the need for greater vigilance when it comes to charitable donations and claims of hardship. It’s unfortunate that Carey’s victims were so easily deceived, but this should serve as a lesson to exercise caution and skepticism, even towards those we consider friends or public figures.
It’s truly disheartening to see a once-celebrated athlete like DJ Carey engage in such a blatant and manipulative fraud scheme. His exploitation of people’s compassion and generosity is unforgivable, and the fact that he targeted his own friends, family, and acquaintances makes this case all the more disturbing. Hopefully, this serves as a lesson that even public figures are not immune to criminal behavior, and that we must all exercise vigilance when it comes to charitable donations and claims of hardship.
I couldn’t agree more. Carey’s actions have not only betrayed the trust of his victims, but also tarnished the reputation of the hurling community he was once a part of. This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability, both in the sports world and beyond, to prevent such egregious breaches of trust from occurring in the future. It’s a sobering reminder that even those we admire can engage in deplorable criminal behavior.
It’s disheartening to see a prominent athlete like DJ Carey engage in such a blatant fraud scheme. His exploitation of people’s generosity and compassion is truly reprehensible. Hopefully, this case will inspire stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to similar scams in the future.
Agreed. Carey’s actions have not only betrayed the trust of his victims, but also tarnished the reputation of the hurling community he was once celebrated in. This serves as a stark reminder that even respected public figures can engage in egregious criminal behavior, and underscores the need for increased scrutiny and accountability.
This case highlights the importance of verifying claims and exercising caution when it comes to charitable donations, even from those we know and trust. While it’s admirable that Carey’s victims wanted to help him, they were ultimately taken advantage of by his elaborate fraud scheme. Fraudsters like Carey erode public trust and make it harder for those with genuine needs to receive support.
You’re absolutely right. Carey’s actions have not only betrayed the trust of his victims, but also cast a shadow over the entire hurling community he was once a part of. This case should serve as a wake-up call for greater transparency and accountability, both in the sports world and beyond, to prevent such egregious breaches of trust from occurring in the future.
This is a tragic case of fraud and exploitation. While DJ Carey was once a celebrated hurling legend, his actions have betrayed the trust of those who believed they were supporting him through a difficult illness. It’s truly reprehensible that he would take advantage of people’s compassion in this way.
I agree, this type of fraud is abhorrent. Preying on people’s generosity and good nature for personal gain is unforgivable. Hopefully, the lengthy prison sentence will serve as a strong deterrent against such egregious criminal behavior in the future.