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 last.
Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said the short inquest was being held to hear 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 hospital.
Dr Bolster said the cause of death was a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infraction, 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 and Safety Authority Inspector Justin Walsh said its investigation into the fatal fall is still under way.
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.
