Former Hurling star DJ Carey has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for deceiving friends, family, and supporters by falsely claiming to have cancer and collecting nearly €400,000 for treatment he did not need.

Carey, from Maynooth, Co Kildare, admitted to 10 counts of fraudulently inducing individuals, including notable figures like Denis O’Brien, to give him money under the pretense of battling cancer. The judge at the Criminal Court of Justice in Dublin, Martin Nolan, criticized Carey for taking advantage of people’s trust and described his actions as “reprehensible.”

Although Judge Nolan expressed doubt that Carey would repeat his offenses, he emphasized that the former sportsman’s reputation had been irreparably damaged. Carey, aged 52, achieved fame through a successful career in inter-county GAA with Kilkenny and was widely recognized as a highly accomplished hurler.

During the court appearance, Carey wore a purple jacket, navy shirt, and black shoes. Following the sentencing, he was instructed to rise before being taken into custody to serve his sentence.