Sentencing of DJ Carey adjourned after ex-hurler hospitalised ahead of court appearance
Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey arrives at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. File picture
The sentencing of former hurling star DJ Carey for defrauding several people out of money while pretending to have cancer has been adjourned until Friday after he failed to appear in court this morning.
Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, told the court, when the case was called before Judge Martin Nolan earlier this morning, that he had been informed Carey, 50, is currently at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway.
He handed a medical note provided to the State to the court and said gardaí had contacted the hospital yesterday after learning that Carey was there. Counsel said gardaí were informed at that stage that Carey was not an in-patient.
Mr McGinn asked for the case to stand down so that further enquiries could be made, adding that gardaí wished to investigate the matter further after reviewing the medical note.
“I may have an application to make depending on our enquires,” Mr McGinn said.
The case was adjourned and recalled later when Simon Matthews BL, also prosecuting, indicated that gardaí had confirmed Carey is in Portiuncula University Hospital and waiting for a bed, although they were unable to confirm his medical status.
Coleman Cody SC, defending, then told the court that his client is awaiting a consultation with a consultant. He said a nurse had confirmed Carey’s presence in the hospital but could not provide further information about his condition.
Counsel said Carey has a history of treatment at the hospital, having previously undergone surgery for a heart condition. He said he did not know the timeline for any treatment. He added that Carey attended the accident and emergency department on Monday but was not admitted.
Judge Nolan said that “it seems he will be seen at some time today” before acknowledging confirmation that Carey is currently in hospital. He then adjourned the sentencing hearing to Friday.
Carey, with an address at The Drive, Newtown, Maynooth, Co Kildare, previously pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dishonestly inducing people to pay him money after he falsely claimed to have cancer and needed funds for treatment. He had been due to stand trial.
The court heard that one count of deception — dishonestly inducing a person to pay him money — was being struck out, while the remainder of the indictment would be taken into consideration by the sentencing judge.
The indictment includes two counts of using a false instrument with intent to induce another to accept it as genuine and spans the period from 2014 to 2022.
The 10 counts to which Carey pleaded guilty involved 13 complainants, including Denis O’Brien, Owen and Ann Conway, Mark and Sharon Kelly, Aidan Mulligan, Tony Griffin and Christy Browne, Thomas Butler, Jeffrey Howes, Noel Tynan, Edwin Carey, and Aonghus Leydon.
About 28 witnesses had been expected to give evidence for the prosecution at the trial, which was originally scheduled to last four weeks.
Carey spoke only once during his brief arraignment, saying “guilty” to each of the 10 counts.
Mr Cody said that while the case involved fraudulently claiming to have cancer, Carey does suffer from “genuinely significant” health issues and required heart surgery last summer.
Counsel asked that legal aid be extended and that a psychological report be prepared for the sentencing date.
Carey is regarded as one of the greatest hurlers to have played the game, winning five All-Ireland senior medals with Kilkenny. He captained the county to Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 2003 and was 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, he has managed the Kilkenny U21 hurlers and served as a selector for the county senior team.
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