A former Hurling star, DJ Carey, has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail for defrauding his friends, family, and supporters of nearly €400,000 under false pretenses of needing cancer treatment. Carey, hailing from Maynooth, Co Kildare, admitted to deceiving 13 victims, including notable individuals like Denis O’Brien, Owen and Ann Conway, and Mark and Sharon Kelly, among others.
During the sentencing at the Criminal Court of Justice in Dublin, Judge Martin Nolan condemned Carey’s actions, stating that he took advantage of people’s kindness and committed reprehensible behavior. Despite expressing doubt that Carey would repeat such offenses, the judge remarked that the former athlete’s reputation had been irreparably tarnished.
Carey, recognized for his successful GAA career with Kilkenny, appeared in court wearing a purple jacket, navy shirt, and black shoes. Following his guilty plea, he was promptly given a lengthy custodial sentence by Judge Nolan. The 52-year-old, once celebrated as one of the sport’s most accomplished hurlers, was escorted away to begin his prison term.