It follows the 71-year-old’s arrest at his hotel early on Wednesday morning in connection with an ongoing ticketing controversy.
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Speaking to reporters outside Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday night, Mr O’Brien said OCI officials had been granted “restricted access” during their visit.
Hickey, an International Olympic Committee executive board member, was detained by police early Wednesday in his Rio de Janeiro hotel.
The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said on Thursday night that Mr Hickey had been “discharged from hospital” and “accompanied to a police station to complete a deposition”.
It is not yet clear what will happen next, but he has surrendered his passport to the authorities and is expected to remain in house arrest here in Brazil as the investigation continues.
Arrested Irish Olympic official Pat Hickey has been released from hospital to be questioned at a Rio police station over allegations of illegal ticket sales.
The Olympic Council of Ireland told The Associated Press that a member of its Rio Games delegation was allowed to go to Hickey’s bedside to be informed of his decision to step aside temporarily from his IOC duties.
Willie O’Brien has taken over as the acting President of the OCI.
“We can’t make any comment while the legal case is going on here”.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed the charges relate to “facilitating the selling of tickets above face value” and until the matter is fully resolved “the presumption of innocence prevails”.
However, he did say the OCI would “defend ourselves to the hilt”. He was arrested after police seized Olympic tickets in a Rio hotel, some of which were part of the Irish allocation and others for the opening and closing ceremonies and the football final.
Asked whether he anticipates the OCI will co-operate with an independent inquiry, Mr Ross replied: “They won’t have an option”.
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Mr Hickey, THG, Pro10 and Mr Mallon have denied having a role in any impropriety.
