Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan died of traumatic brain injury due to horse riding accident, inquest told

Cheltenham-winning jockey died on February 16 last, 10 days after he fell at a fence at a race meeting in Thurles, Co Tipperary

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan: Cork Coroner’s Court heard brief evidence on Thursday morning from assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster as to the cause of his death. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Cheltenham festival-winning Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan died of a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infarction, due to a horse riding accident, his inquest has heard.

Cork Coroner’s Court heard brief evidence on Thursday morning from assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster as to the cause of the death of the 24-year-old Lombardstown native on February 16 last. Dr Bolster carried out an autopsy on Mr O’Sullivan at Cork City Mortuary a day after his death.

Mr O’Sullivan, of Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork, died at Cork University Hospital after what his family previously described as a “trojan battle” to recover from his injuries.

He was airlifted to hospital on February 6 following a serious last fence fall at a race meeting in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he died 10 days later.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest into the death of the champion jockey to facilitate “preparatory work”. Cork City coroner Philip Comyn said the inquest was being opened for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so a death certificate could be issued to the family of the deceased.

Inspector Justin Walsh from the Health and Safety Authority confirmed its investigation into Mr O'Sullivan's death had yet to be completed. 

A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date.