In a story that has captivated the nation, former Kilkenny hurling hero DJ Carey has seen his reputation destroyed after being convicted of one of the most shocking fraud schemes in recent memory. Once hailed as a sporting icon, the five-time All-Ireland winner and nine-time All-Star hurling star now faces a lengthy prison sentence for deceiving people into believing he was suffering from terminal cancer—a lie he used to manipulate his victims for over a decade, during which he lied about having cancer and targeted a range of victims, including both high-profile figures and everyday people.
The truth about his deceit only came to light in early 2023, after a fraud investigation was launched. However, the true scale of his actions shocked everyone. Carey scammed a total of €394,000 convincing his victims—many of whom were kind-hearted individuals or successful business people—that he was terminally ill and in urgent need of money for cancer treatment.
One of the most startling aspects of Carey’s case was the number of well-known individuals who were duped into giving him money. Among the victims was billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien, who provided Carey with €125,000 over several years, including a large sum for alleged cancer treatment.
However, it wasn’t just wealthy individuals who were targeted—Carey went after vulnerable members of the public, including those already battling cancer or recently bereaved.
The case reached its climax in court, where journalists, members of the public and media from all across the country packed the courtroom to hear the shocking details. As victim impact statements were read out the full extent of Carey’s manipulation became clear.
After hearing all the evidence, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Carey to five and a half years in prison for his crimes. Carey, who once enjoyed the adoration of fans across Ireland, now faces a lengthy prison term. Throughout the proceedings, he remained emotionless, a far cry from the charismatic sportsman who once thrilled thousands on the hurling pitch.
For more details on the case, see Wexford Born Journalist Amy Molloy’s full analysis in today’s Irish Independent.
