Inquest finds jockey died of severe traumatic brain injury
An inquest into the death of jockey Michael O'Sullivan has been told that the 24-year-old died of a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infarction, due to a riding accident.
The Cheltenham-festival winning jockey died at Cork University Hospital ten days after he was injured during a fall from Wee Charlie at Thurles Racecourse on 6 February of this year.
Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said today's short inquest was being held for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so that a death certificate could be issued.
Assistant State pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster told the court that she had carried out a post mortem examination on Mr O'Sullivan's body on 17 February at the mortuary at Cork University Hospital.
Dr Bolster said the cause of death was a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infaction, due to a riding accident.
Garda Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the file in the case is not yet complete and the State's application was for an adjournment.
Health & Safety Authority Inspector Justin Walsh said their investigation into the fatal fall is still underway.
Mr Comyn said he would adjourn the inquest to another date for a fuller hearing but would issue a death certificate as soon as possible.
He told Solicitor Denis Linehan, acting for the O'Sullivan family, that the certificate would be available in five working days.
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