DJ Carey's name rings out over Croke Park – but former hurler is conspicuous by his absence
Carey pleaded guilty on July 3 to ten counts of defrauding a number of people out of money while pretending that he had cancer and needed finances to obtain treatment.
There was some debate whether the five-time All-Ireland SHC winner would be in attendance at Croke Park today.
The GAA had been silent on the matter despite queries from the Irish Independent during the past week.
One businessman who was defrauded out of thousands of euro warned it would be '100pc wrong' to honour the disgraced hurler in Croke Park.
Noel Tynan, owned of The Celt bar in Dublin, said: 'He's a criminal… full stop and just because he won five All Irelands and nine All Stars, it doesn't change things.
"The bottom line is he purposely set out to defraud people.'
Mr Tynan added: 'He came across as such a humble fella but he was setting me up. It was a form of grooming.
"The All Star, The All Ireland winner and then to use that and say you had cancer, it's just unforgiveable and there's no excuse for him.'
Carey was remanded on bail following his court appearance earliker this month. He is due to be sentenced on October 29.
Ultimately 54-year-old Carey was not present at Croke Park today, although there was a short citation read out about him while his team-mates were celebrated in front of a large crowd at GAA HQ.
There was some jeering when his name was read out by master of ceremonies, TG4 commentator Mac Dara Mac Donncha.
Carey was not the only one absent with All-Ireland-winning manager Brian Cody also missing out due to a pre-planned holiday.
Goalkeeper James McGarry, Cody's right-hand man as coach for several of his All-Ireland successes following retirement, was also absent.
However captain Willie O'Connor and Irish Independent columnist Eddie Brennan were among the star-studded squad on show.
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