GAA legend being investigated for fraud insists he is innocent

• Yesterday 14:36

The GAA legend being investigated by Gardai over fraud allegations claims he is innocent.

A view of Croke Park (

He has told relatives and friends: “It’s all lies – I didn’t do anything wrong and I didn’t get loans off people.”

But all of his alleged victims told detectives he asked them for money to pay for stem cell cancer treatment in the United States and they gave him the money in good faith with a promise it would later be paid back.

The amount of money he received ranges between €1 million to €2 million, with the amounts varying from €5,000 to €200,000 in one particular case.

However suspicions were raised when his so-called illness appeared to be going on for over 10 years.

And then it was discovered that he was off playing golf on the celebrity GAA circuit and abroad when he was supposed to be in America having treatment.

A source who was speaking to some of his relatives said: “In his own head he does not think he did anything wrong.

“He says everything being said about him is all lies and that he did not do anything underhanded or illegal.

“He believes a group of people have got together to try and bring him down.

“He really believes he is innocent and will pay people back the money he owes them down the road.

“The legend regards the money he received as gifts with no strings attached in some cases.”

The sports star was arrested and questioned by Gardai for 24 hours a few weeks ago.

No charges have been brought against him yet while the investigation into the high profile case continues.

Gardai have warned him not to attempt to leave the country.

It is understood that officers have been trawling through his medical records to see if he was ever diagnosed with cancer in the first place.

The main allegations against him are deception and obtaining funds under false pretences.

Some of the biggest names in Irish sport and business are believed to have helped him out and gave him cash.