GAA make controversial DJ Carey call despite pressure from cancer survivors

DJ Carey pled guilty to 10 charges of fraud earlier this month

In the weeks before the All-Ireland final, there had been calls from cancer survivors for the the GAA not to pay tribute to Carey on Sunday at Croke Park in the traditional celebrations for past All-Ireland winners.

When his name was read out, there were boos from the crowd.

Earlier this month, the legendary Kilkenny player pleaded guilty to 10 charges of defrauding individuals by falsely claiming he had cancer in order to obtain money.

Carey, a five-time All-Ireland champion, is regarded as one of the most successful and celebrated players in hurling history.

He admitted to dishonestly persuading people to give him money by fraudulently claiming he was suffering from cancer and needed funds for treatment. He was remanded on bail and is due to be sentenced on October 29th.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland win over Offaly in 2000, a contest in which Carey was man of the match.

Earlier this month, Carey’s ex-partner Sarah Newman spoke out about the scandal, insisting she had contacted Blackrock Garda to complain about Carey stealing from her, but  that this was never followed up by the police.

In a revealing interview with the Irish Independent, she states her belief that Carey’s subsequent fraudulent behaviour and lies could have stopped earlier.

She said: “That trauma could have been stopped. These victims should not have become his prey if the gardaí had taken proper notice of me when I made formal complaints back in 2012 about DJ’s conduct, lies and deception.

“They [my complaints] went untreated and there has been a black cloud over my judgment and reputation for many years, which I feel has now been lifted.

 “I don’t believe I was heard, and therein lies the problem. So I don’t feel any form of satisfaction or elation this weekend. I just feel desperately, desperately sad for the victims of his crimes.

“There are people who will have met me and taken statements from me over that period of time. And it is they who have to look at themselves. They know the truth and they had the facts and they did nothing about it."