DJ Carey Taken To Hospital After Panic Attack

Hurling legend DJ Carey was taken to hospital last week after suffering from a suspected heart attack at a Garda station in Kilkenny.

But after spending three nights under observation, it's now believed the Kilkenny man suffered a panic attack, rather than a cardiac problem.

Carey is arguably the greatest hurler of his generation - a supreme talent who won five All Ireland medals and nine All Stars during a 16 year career.

But the 41-year-old has been propelled into the media spotlight this year due to business and personal problems.

Carey was collecting a form from his local police station when he collapsed complaining of chest pains.

Gardai phoned an ambulance, and he was taken to St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny.

He underwent tests in St James Hospital in Dublin, and then at Waterford Regional Hospital before returning to St Luke's.

He was released on Friday.

Carey has been through a turbulent period in his life, and recently spit with his celebrity girlfriend, businesswoman Sarah Newman after nine years together.

The couple had been due to marry in July.

The pair were business partners too, but their once lucrative property empire was hit particularly hard by Ireland's economic downturn, and they now have debts of more than nine million euro.

Carey's family says his life has been "pure and utter stress" in recent months.

Carey met Miss Newman after he split from his wife Christine in 2003

Christine told the Irish Star that tests showed there was nothing wrong with his heart.

"It's been upsetting because of all the stories going round, but DJ is not at death's door or anything like that," she said.

"He had chest pains and he collapsed but his heart is fine. Our sons Sean and Mike have been seeing this stuff on Facebook and on the radio about their father but his heart is fine.

"And to be honest, DJ doesn't need the added pressure of that right now...he's going through a hard enough time as it is. This was stress more than likely and that's all there is to it."