• DJ Carey

The childhood hurling coach of GAA icon, DJ Carey, has described his stunning fall from grace as a “Shakespearean tragedy”.

A visceral mix of bewilderment, betrayal and quiet anger can be seen in almost equal measure on the faces of the fraud victims conned by the Kilkenny forward in a new two-part RTE documentary.

Sitting in an armchair in his home, retired accountant Thomas Butler, who gave the player around €17000 for cancer treatment in the US, is filmed turning a signed hurl from Carey over in his hands

“This hurl was made by DJ’s brother, he’s personally signed it to myself. I will forever treasure this hurl for what it represents, for the greatest hurler of all time”, he says sadly.

In the documentary, he also refers to a framed photo – once hung pride-of-place in the hallway – of the former Kilkenny captain with his daughter, Bridget, and his niece, Jenny, in the Burlington after the 2003 All-Ireland win as “extremely special”.

“After what’s happened, I couldn’t leave it in the hallway anymore. So rather than throw it in the bin, it’s still history. So, it’s just discreetly put aside in the front room now.”

Ger said: “Looking back, I wasn’t able to see beyond my decency, or our decency. He played on your vulnerability, which is unforgivable, really.”

Watch the first episode of DJ Carey: The Dodger on Monday 24th November at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Stream the second episode directly after on RTÉ Player or watch on RTÉ One on Monday 1st December at 9.35pm.