Inquest confirms cause of death of Cheltenham-winning 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 the death of the 24-year-old on February 16. Dr Bolster carried out a post-mortem 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 following a serious last-fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he passed away ten days later.
Sergeant 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 into 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 will be missed 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 passing.
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 an 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
16 hours ago
- Sunday World
‘I couldn't let go of his hand, I didn't want to leave him' – Man died in tyre explosion
Patrick McCrann was repairing a wheel on a trailer when the tragedy occurred A 50-year-old Co Roscommon man died instantly from a 'catastrophic' brain injury when the tyre of a farmyard trailer exploded while he was using an arc welder to repair the wheel rim, an inquest was told today. Patrick McCrann, who lived at Sheepwalk, Frenchpark, was repairing a wheel on a trailer which was used to bring turf from the bog to his parent's home when the tragedy occurred on July 18, 2024. An inquest into Mr McCrann's death was conducted this afternoon in Ballaghaderreen Courthouse by the Coroner for Roscommon, Brian O'Connor. Garda Denise Casserley told the hearing how following a report of a tyre explosion, she attended the scene and found the body of the deceased lying in a small shed in a farmyard having sustained a traumatic brain injury. The force of the explosion had blown a hole in the roof of the shed, Garda Casserley explained. Last rites were administered at the scene by Fr Joseph Gavigan and the body was identified to Garda Casserley by Kevin McCrann, a brother of the deceased. Kevin McCrann, in a deposition read to the inquest by Garda Courts Presenter, Sergeant Pat O'Malley explained he was in reading a letter in his sitting room when he heard an explosion. In his deposition, Mr McCrann continued: 'I didn't panic. I walked down the yard. I saw Pat's van reversed in towards the shed. The back door of the van was open. As I approached the van I knew something was wrong. I entered the shed and I saw Pat and I knew he was dead. 'I knew the extent of his injuries were fatal. 'I couldn't let go of his hand and I didn't want to leave him'. Patrick McCrann News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3 Dr Caroline Brodie, Consultant Pathologist at University College Hospital Galway, disclosed that the cause of death was 'catastrophic traumatic injury'. Responding to the coroner, she said that death would have been instantaneous. The circumstances of the tragedy were investigated by Kay Baxter, an Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). In her report, which she read to today's hearing, Ms Baxter said Mr McCrann had been repairing a wheel rim with a tyre in situ in a shed in his parent's farmyard using an arc welder. 'The air in the tyre expanded with the heat from the weld and the tyre was forced off the wheel rim in an explosive fashion and was propelled through the roof of the shed landing in the concrete yard outside', Ms Baxter continued. She added: 'The resultant blast and impact with the tyre caused fatal head injuries (to the deceased)'. In her Report, Ms Baxter described Mr McCrann as an an experienced tyre fitter who had been in business for more than 30 years. Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said the deceased was well known as an obliging person who went out to assist people and to lose him in such tragic circumstances was very difficult for the family and the local community. Sergeant O'Malley, on behalf of An Garda Síochána, joined the coroner in expressing sympathy with the family of the deceased.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Watch: GAA Preview – Thrilling All-Ireland hurling semi-final weekend coming to Croker
This near sell-out will be followed by the showdown of Tipperary and Leinster kingpins Kilkenny at 4pm on Sunday. Dermot talks about manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin's whirlwind year, guiding Na Fianna to All-Ireland club glory, taking over the Dublin job and then shocking Limerick. Michael fears the expectancy in the capital might be too much as they face a different animal in the ravenous Rebels. It's a busy day for Tipperary fans with their ladies footballers and camogie teams also in action. Traditionally, their hurlers have enjoyed a fierce and bitter rivalry with the Cats. Could the experience of Kilkenny and their ability to score goals tip the scales against youthful Premier County? Finally, who do Michael and Dermot fancy to make it to the last two and end their respective famines?
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Horse racing trainer opens up on heartbreaking deaths of three stable staff
Warren Greatrex has opened up on the devastating deaths of three of his stable staff. The trainer and those in his yard were left heartbroken following the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and Billy Moffatt. Michael Pitt took his own life at the age of 19 in July 2021. He was found dead at a petrol station in Hungerford. The amateur rider's inquest heard how he consumed alcohol with friends and got into an argument. He left alone at around 11pm after refusing a lift home and was found dead by a shop worker just before 7am the next morning. The following February, David Thompson, 25, was found dead in woodland in Lambourn. He was reported missing after not turning up for work. And in May of this year, Billy Moffatt, 20, was found dead in his accommodation at Greatrex's yard. He had previously spent two years working for trainer Alan King. Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Greatrex told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday about the heartbreak the three deaths caused. He said: "I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well. Parents entrust you to look after their children. "I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else. I never thought I'd have a situation like this. "Even now it's tough to talk about - but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else. "None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that. All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around. "Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around. But there aren't any signs." Greatrex praised charity Racing Welfare, who he said were at his yard 'within minutes' to offer support to his staff. "I think when you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking," Greatrex added. He continued: "I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible. But when they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time. "There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them. "But when they leave the yard I am helpless. Still, I want them to be able to come to me. "I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction." If you have been affected by the contents of this article, support can be found from the following resources: National Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm) or helpline@ The Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days of the year) or jo@
