DJ Carey's barrister hands sick note into court as sentencing for defrauding people delayed

The barrister of former Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey handed in a sick note to explain his absence when the case was called on Wednesday morning, and sentencing has been delayed.

Carey was to be sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to defrauding 13 people by pretending he had cancer and looking for financial support for treatment in the US.

The 54-year-old, with an address of The Drive, Newtown, Maynooth, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty last July to charges. He had been due to stand trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Carey pleaded guilty to 10 of the 21 counts he was facing, which include dishonestly inducing people to pay him money after he falsely claimed to have cancer.

13 named people fell victim to the claims, which occurred between 2014 and 2022.

Businessman Denis O’Brien is one of the named individuals who gave him money to pay for cancer treatment on unknown dates between January 2014 and September 2022, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.

Judge Martin Nolan was told that Carey was not present and his barrister handed in a sick note when the case was called on Wednesday morning.

Those present in court were informed by Prosecuting Counsel that they had just received a photocopy of the medical letter, which said Carey was in Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinalsoe, Co Galway.

Prosecution Counsel said gardaí had been alerted to the situation on Tuesday. Gardaí called the hospital and were told that Carey was not an in-patient as of yesterday.

They added that sentencing will not proceed today, but he told the judge he may have an application to make to the court depending on further inquiries being made by gardaí.

Defence Counsel informed the court last July that while Carey did not have cancer, he did have "genuinely significant" health issues and required heart surgery last year.

A psychological report was also asked to be prepared ahead of Wednesday's sentencing.

Carey has been on bail in advance of the hearing with strict conditions attached.

The total amount of money involved in the cases has not been disclosed.