ulster said that 31-year-old fitzpatrick had experienced a number of concussive episodes ' in recent seasons , and his symptoms were ` progressively slower to resolve ' .
medics at the guinness pro12 province referred him to a neurologist , and after tests it was recommended it would be in fitzpatrick 's long-term interests to stop playing .
fitzpatrick won seven caps for ireland , the last of which was against new zealand during the 2013 autumn tests .