"GAA star in alleged scam" Mod Note on page 1 and 2

From the Irish Independent:

Billionaire Denis O’Brien has been contacted by gardaí investigating a former GAA star who allegedly sought hundreds of thousands of euro from people under false pretences.

Mr O’Brien is understood to be one of a number of people who were allegedly tapped for money by the leading sportsman in recent years, claiming it was either a loan or to pay for his cancer treatment.

The former GAA star asked Mr O’Brien for money and other financial supports and is also believed to have asked him to fund medical treatment.

Mr O’Brien provided the funds, according to a source who declined to put a figure on the amount. However, the sums involved are believed to run to tens of thousands.

There are growing concerns for the health of the sportsman, who has been hospitalised since the news of the garda investigation broke last weekend.

A relative told the Sunday Independent he has been receiving medical care as a result of the strain and his recovery is now the priority for his family over the coming days and weeks.

Detectives have contacted Mr O’Brien and asked to speak to him about the sportsman’s approaches for financial assistance and his explanation for needing the money.

Gardaí came across Mr O’Brien’s name as a donor to the former GAA star in the course of their inquiries.

The businessman is understood to have provided financial support of various kinds to the sportsman over a number of years, including allowing him to stay in his properties at different times.

A spokesman for Mr O’Brien declined to comment.

The approach to Mr O’Brien demonstrates the reach of the sportsman, who has enjoyed a huge national following of fans at all levels.

Mr O’Brien, who was a main shareholder in Independent News and Media — which is now Mediahuis Ireland, owner of this newspaper — is one of Ireland’s richest people.

The investigation into the alleged fraud began last year after financial institutions were alerted to unusual transactions in the sportsman’s bank accounts.

A number of people subsequently came forward complaining that he had allegedly duped them into giving him money, either for cancer treatment he never availed of or as a loan that was never repaid.

Gardaí searched a hotel where the man was staying in December. He relinquished his mobile phone and his passport and has also presented himself for interview.

Detectives have been examining the messages and content of his phone to trace people who gave him money but who have not made official complaints.

Statements have been taken from a number of those tracked down. It is not clear whether Mr O’Brien has met yet with detectives.

The investigation is being coordinated locally with assistance from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

Detectives have not divulged how many complaints they have received this far, but sources put the value of the alleged fraud to date in the “high six figures” and shy of €1m.

Inquiries are expected to focus on the sportsman’s finances, on his medical condition and his claims of running medical negligence lawsuits.

The sportsman is said to have had difficult personal circumstances in recent years and has been living in different properties, in hotels and apartments.

Debt judgments have been issued against him, including one by the Revenue Commissioners.

Local people estimated that as many as 50 people could be victims of the former sports star.

Gardaí have been told the cash sums sought and, in some cases paid, range from several thousand euro to five-figure sums.

One business person is alleged by local people to have paid a sum of €200,000.

While news of the fraud investigation has shocked the GAA, the sportsman has been approaching people for money for a number of years.

“I’m sure that a great many people that would have donated would never admit that they donated,” said a local source.

“So I would think that it would be very difficult to get the actual picture.”

Two politicians separately told the Sunday Independent that the sportsman asked them for a loan two years ago to tide him over until his expected payout from a medical negligence claim.

One politician said he was asked for €10,000 and the other said he was asked for €15,000. Neither of them paid.

A former GAA player is said to have given the sportsman €15,000 in the belief it was to be a loan.

A businesswoman who gave €5,000 for cancer treatment last week urged others to come forward.

She said she donated the money to the sportsman after he told her he had a rare form of cancer and need to travel to the United States for treatment.

She eventually got the money back when she threatened to expose him.

You appear to be proud of him !

Leave the taxpayer to pay for his mistakes.

Why sympathy for AIB? Surely the taxpayer took the hit for this huge write down not the bank?

Mod Edit

Warning issued.

Why do people defend/berate the 'countyman' these days? Who gives a hoot what 'county' any alleged fraudster/criminal is from-- its irrelevant. Notwithstanding any impending investigations on foot of anything above, I wish the bogball and smallball aficionados dragged themselves into the wider world in these situations and look at things aside from a parochial/county perspective. Yammering on about the 'countyman' is a bit 20th century...

Irish Times reporting that Denis O'Brien is providing extensive details to the investigating officers.