Pat Hickey is escorted from hospital Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

PRESIDENT OF THE Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) Pat Hickey has been taken from a Rio Hospital in a wheelchair.

Hickey was placed under armed guard in the Hospital Samaritano in Rio yesterday after complaining of chest pains following his arrest.

Hickey has had cardiac issues in the past and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Hickey is facing three charges after his arrest by Brazilian fraud police investigating ticket touting.

He has temporarily stood aside from his role, the OCI said in a statement last night.

It is expected that he will be taken into police custody this evening, to be questioned in connection with the charges.

The interim head of the OCI, William O’Brien said officials had been granted “restricted access” to Hickey overnight.

More to follow

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Read: What happened when? A timeline of Ireland’s Olympic ticketing scandal

Read: Making headlines: How the world reacted to the arrest of Ireland’s Pat Hickey

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Pat Hickey taken from Rio hospital in a wheelchair

Read: What happened when? A timeline of Ireland’s Olympic ticketing scandal

Read: Making headlines: How the world reacted to the arrest of Ireland’s Pat Hickey

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.