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It’s now official, Aintree Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox will be getting a hero’s welcome when he returns to his native Sligo.
Sligo County Council has agreed that he be given a civic reception to mark what is an historic achievement by the Sligoman who is now based in Scotland.
There had been calls for him to be given the Freedom of the Borough of Sligo, which was the highest honour the local authority could bestow.
But a question arose if this could still be given, seeing as the borough council has now been abolished.
However, the council has now decided that it will give Derek a formal civic reception, which will probably take place in County Hall.
A date for the event has not yet been set but it’s expected Fox may be back in Ireland later this month.
As Council Cathaoirlach Cllr Hubert Keaney tells Ocean FM, it’s now a case of seeing when the world-famous jockey is available.