Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey pleads guilty to 10 counts of fraud

Denis O’Brien was one of the individuals to whom he had dishonestly claimed to have cancer and needed money for treatment, the court heard

DJ Carey arrives at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Former Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey has admitted falsely claiming he had cancer and defrauding people into paying him money for his “treatment”.

One of his victims was billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Wednesday.

Mr Carey had been due to stand trial but his legal team indicated a jury would not be required as he pleaded guilty when 10 deception charges were put to him before Ms Justice Patricia Ryan.

Appearing in court dressed in a black suit and patterned tie, he only spoke to say the word “guilty” to each charge.

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 sums of money involved were not disclosed at the short court hearing on Wednesday.

Colman Cody SC, defending, told the court that while the case involved him fraudulently claiming to have cancer, Mr Carey does have “genuinely significant” health issues.

This included heart problems which required surgery last year, and evidence from his surgeons could be provided.

The court also heard that there were mental health issues, and that a psychological report would be prepared in advance of his sentencing date.

His defence team also submitted that legal aid for Mr Carey may need to be extended, which Ms Justice Ryan agreed to. At his first court hearing, when faced with the charges, a court heard that he had “no income whatsoever”.

The judge remanded him on continuing bail pending his sentencing hearing.

The court heard that his sentencing hearing would last an hour and a half. It is expected victim impact statements may be read on the day.

Mr 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.

He will be sentenced on October 29.