Former Kilkenny hurling icon DJ Carey has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to an elaborate tax fraud scheme that deceived the Irish Revenue of nearly €1.7 million.
The 52-year-old sports legend, once celebrated for his prowess on the hurling field, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where details of his sophisticated financial deception were laid bare.
The Elaborate Fraud Scheme
Between 2017 and 2022, Carey orchestrated a complex web of deception involving:
- Submission of 22 falsified invoices to Revenue
- Claims for non-existent medical treatments including laser eye surgery
- Fabricated educational expenses for his children
- Fraudulent applications for vehicle registration tax refunds on luxury cars
The court heard how Carey targeted the Tax Refund Service and Online Service, systematically exploiting systems designed to help legitimate taxpayers.
Luxury Cars and Lavish Lifestyle
Among the most audacious elements of the fraud were Carey's attempts to claim refunds on high-end vehicles, including:
- A 2015 Range Rover Evoque
- A 2016 BMW 5 Series
- A 2017 Mercedes Benz
- A 2019 Land Rover Discovery
Detective Garda Shane Curtis revealed how Carey's scheme began to unravel when Revenue investigators noticed suspicious patterns in his refund applications.
Fall from Grace
Judge Elma Sheahan delivered a stern rebuke, noting the "significant breach of trust" and the "sophisticated and repeated nature" of the offences. She acknowledged Carey's guilty plea and previous good character but emphasized the seriousness of revenue fraud.
The fallen sports hero, who won five All-Ireland medals during his illustrious career, must now serve his sentence at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.
Carey's defence team cited mental health struggles and personal difficulties, but the judge maintained that "the courts must mark revenue fraud as serious offending" given its impact on public services.
