Overview
- A jury in Cork returned an accidental death verdict after an inquest into Michael O’Sullivan’s last‑fence fall at Thurles racecourse.
- Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said he suffered a very severe traumatic brain injury and multiple skull fractures, was airlifted to hospital, and died 10 days later.
- Eyewitness and video evidence showed his mount, Wee Charlie, fell on him while kicking in panic, was struck by another horse, and then came down on him again.
- The Health and Safety Authority found he wore the correct protective gear and identified no breaches of health and safety law, and the race vet had cleared Wee Charlie to run.
- An Irish Horse Racing Board review said earlier on‑track changes had cut the last‑fence faller rate to about 2.2%, and jockeys described the course and race as normal on the day.