Cheltenham winning jockey from Cork died of a severe and traumatic brain injury, inquest hears

Cheltenham festival winning 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 this morning from Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, as to the cause of the death of the 24 year old on February 16 last. Dr Bolster carried out a postmortem 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.

Michael was airlifted to hospital on February 6 last following a serious last fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he ed away ten days later.

Sgt Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest in to 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 that a death certificate could be issued to the family of the deceased.

Inspector Justin Walsh from the Health and Safety Authority was present at the hearing. He confirmed that their investigation in to the death is yet to be completed. 

Solicitor Denis Linehan, who represents the O’Sullivan family, was also in attendance at the inquest. He will be on the record for the family going forward. A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date.

Michael is survived by his parents William and Bernie, his brother Alan, his partner Charlotte, his grandmother Mary, uncles and aunts, his weigh room colleagues and the wider racing community and extended family and friends.

Michael shot to public attention two years ago when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before going on to win the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty.

Huge crowds attended his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork on February 19.

His father William told mourners that Michael would want his loved ones to find joy in life in spite of his ing.

He said that Michael had his heart set on being a jockey from an early age. He noted that even though Michael had managed to receive a honours degree in Agricultural Science they had it on “good authority” that he read the Racing Post during lectures in UCD.

Meanwhile, Michael’s brother Alan and his cousins David O’Sullivan and Sonny McCartan recently took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for Brú Columbanus, a charity that offers free accommodation to families of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals. They decided to raise funds for the site in Wilton in Cork as it was a “safe haven” for the O’Sullivan family when Michael was in intensive care.

Over €94,000 has been raised for the charity arising out of the fundraising appeal. Donations can still be made online at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/MichaelOSullivanFamily.