Australian coroner rules Irishman’s death accidental

A CORONER in Australia has ruled as accidental the death of an Irishman who fell 25 feet from a building while being chased following a bar room brawl.

Killian Rogers, the 29-year-old son of one of the State’s best known veterinary surgeons, died in late 2002 after falling from the building in Sydney.

His death was a tragic accident and there will be no criminal charges against the person who was chasing him, a coroner in New South Wales has ruled.

But it is understood the family are deeply unhappy at the ruling. They have retained legal representation and may launch a challenge against it.

Mr Rogers, from Lucan, is the son of Mena and Dr Phil Rogers, a Teagasc vet and author of dozens of papers on various aspects of his profession. He is survived by four siblings.

Mr Rogers was being chased from a Sydney pub when he climbed the balustrade of the building and fell. He died of head injuries six days after his fall in Sydney’s inner city.

At the inquest into his death, New South Wales Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch ruled that Mr Rogers’ death was accidental.

“His fall was accidental, albeit with tragic consequences but nevertheless a misguided act of his own volition,” Magistrate Pinch told Glebe Coroners Court.

The court head that Mr Rogers had been drinking with friends at the Trumps Tavern when a brawl broke out around 4am.

Lee Hazley, an off duty barman, who also had drink taken, was badly beaten during the fight. Mr Hazley then chased Mr Rogers out of the pub and through the streets of the city.

But the barman told the court that he had no intention to kill the Irishmen when the chase began.

Mr Hazley pursued Mr Rogers for two city blocks before the Irishmen scaled a glass balustrade in an office courtyard and hung there briefly before falling 8m to the street below.