Courts / Kildare / Report
DJ Carey pleads guilty to cancer fraud
Summary
DJ Carey, a former hurling star aged 54, pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial to ten counts of defrauding people by falsely claiming to have cancer and needing money for treatment. The charges cover the period 2014‑2022 and involve 13 complainants, including Denis O'Brien and the Conway family. One count of dishonestly inducing a person to pay was struck out, leaving the remaining counts for sentencing. Carey's defence highlighted his genuine health problems, noting he underwent heart surgery last summer, and requested legal aid and a psychological report. Judge Patricia Ryan granted these requests, set a sentencing hearing for 29 October, and remanded Carey on bail until then. The case was to be heard without a jury, with the prosecution originally expecting about 28 witnesses. Carey is a celebrated former Kilkenny hurler who has won five All‑Ireland medals and served as a selector and U21 manager after retirement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: DJ Carey pleads guilty to cancer fraud. Charges or matters: 10 counts of dishonestly inducing people to pay him money after he fraudulently claimed to have cancer and needed finances for treatment; today involved a total of 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. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 29 Adjournment
- 2014 to 2022 Other
- 2000 and 2002 Other
- 2025-07-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 10 counts of dishonestly inducing people to pay him money after he fraudulently claimed to have cancer and needed finances for treatment; today involved a total of 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 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Counsel asked that legal aid be extended and he also asked that a psychological report be prepared for the sentence date.; The judge remanded Carey on continuing bail until that date.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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