Kilkenny Hurling Legend DJ Carey Sentenced to Five and a Half Years for Shocking Fraud

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Kilkenny Hurling Legend DJ Carey Sentenced to Five and a Half Years for Shocking Fraud

DJ Carey, a celebrated figure in Kilkenny hurling, has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for a substantial fraud scheme. The 54-year-old deceived 22 individuals into giving him approximately €400,000 under the false pretense of needing treatment for a non-existent cancer.

Details of the Fraud

Judge Martin Nolan characterized Carey’s actions as extremely reprehensible. He stated, “I could not imagine a more reprehensible fraud than to tell people you have cancer and extort money on that basis.” Carey pleaded guilty in July to ten charges of deception, which involved convincing victims that he required urgent treatment in Seattle.

Among his fraudulent claims was a fictitious civil action against the Health Service Executive (HSE), implying that he would repay the contributions once he received compensation. In reality, Carey had no cancer diagnosis, had not sued the HSE, and had no means to refund the money.

Financial Impact on Victims

Judge Nolan noted that Carey amassed around €349,000 through his deceitful acts. He acknowledged that many of the individuals exploited were close to Carey and had shown him kindness. The court heard emotional accounts from victims like businessman Denis O’Brien, who loaned Carey over €125,000 and even provided accommodation and a vehicle during visits to Dublin. O’Brien described feeling “completely duped” and expressed the personal betrayal he experienced.

Judge’s Sentencing Decision

For his actions, Carey received concurrent sentences varying from five to one and a half years. The effective term of imprisonment is five and a half years, reflecting both the severity of the fraud and mitigating factors such as his lack of prior convictions and cooperation with authorities.

Judge Nolan remarked on the damage to Carey’s reputation, emphasizing that his actions led to public scorn and ruined his standing in the community. Carey, once revered as one of the greatest hurlers, faces significant repercussions moving forward.

Investigation Details

The investigation began in 2022 after a bank employee raised suspicions when an elderly customer attempted to transfer funds to Carey. Evidence gathered included communications indicating his fraudulent claims and recipient names that did not correlate with any legitimate patient records at medical facilities in Seattle.

Conclusion

In total, Carey received around €394,127 and US$13,000 from his victims, but only €44,200 was repaid, leaving a significant amount outstanding. The case serves as a stern reminder of the lengths some will go to in exploiting the goodwill of others.