Australian Football

The death of Tom Forgarty

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SOLICITOR'S DEATH — T. B. Fogarty Drowned — BODY FOUND AT ST KILDA

The body of Mr. Thomas B. Fogarty, a well-known Melbourne solicitor, was found floating in the bay at St. Kilda this morning.

About 7 a.m. yesterday a hat and coat were found on the St. Kilda pier, and handed over to the police. In the pocket of the coat were letters addressed to T. Fogarty. The police at once communicated with Mr. Fogarty's relatives, and dragged the bay for the body, but with no result. This morning at 10 o'clock the body of a man was discovered floating close to the wall on the foreshore opposite lo the Beaconsfield Parade Hotel. It was fully, clothed except for coat and hat. Constable Collins took the body to the Morgue, where it was identified as that of Mr. Fogarty.

The late Mr. Fogarty was at one time a prominent footballer, playing with the University and South Melbourne League teams. During the .war he enlisted and fought in France with the Australian Imperial Forces. He was admitted In May, 1908, as a barrister and solicitor, practising In Victoria. On two occasions he was suspended, at the instigation of the Law Institute, from the practice of hls profession. The last order was made, by Mr Justice Cusser, on December 15, 1921, when Mr Fogarty was suspended for six months. Mr Fogarty was given liberty to apply to the Court to rescind or vary this order, after the expiration of tho period specified in the order.

CITY SOLICITOR DROWNED — Body Found at St. Kilda

The body of Thomas Bernard Fogarty, aged 42 years, who had practised as a barrister and scholar in Melbourne since 1908 was washed upon the St Kilda bench yesterday morning.

On Thursday morning a constable found a hat and coat about half way down the St Kilda pier and in the pocket of the coat letters addressed "T. Fogarty" were found. When informed Mr Fogarty's relatives told the police that he was missing from home, and in immediate search of the foreshore was made, and the bay was dragged, without result. Yesterday morning Mr Fogarty's body, fully dressed, except for hat and coat, was found opposite the Beaconsfield Parade Hotel.

Mr Fogarty was admitted to the Bar in May, 1908, and had an office in Collins street Before he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force he was a leading footballer playing first for the University and from later for the South Melbourne League teams. On his return from the war he took an active part in the Returned Soldiers' League. An inquest will be held.

WELL-KNOWN SOLICITOR'S END — BODY FOUND ON ST. KILDA BEACH

Yesterday morning at 7 o'clock a hat and coat, identified as the property of Thomas Bernard Fogarty, a well-known barrister and solicitor, were found on the pier at St. Kilda, and this morning his body was washed up on the rocks opposite Beaconsfield parade, St. Kilda. The body was fully clothed excepting hat and coat, and it was removed to the morgue, where an inquiry will be held.

Mr. Fogarty was. admitted to the bar in 1908, and on two occasions he was suspended from practising on the application of the Law Institute. The second suspension took place in December last, the period being six months, at the end of which it was informed that he might apply for recision or variation of the order. The second suspension obviously caused the deceased great mental anguish, and when he was seen in the city early in the week he appeared to be feeling his position acutely. In his early days Mr. Fogarty played with the University and South Melbourne football teams, and later he served with the A.I.F. in France.

DEATH OF A SOLICITOR — Coroner Finds Suicide

The coroner (Dr Cole) held an inquiry at the Morgue yesterday concerning the death of Thomas Bernard Fogarty aged 43 year, a solicitor whose body was found Iying on some rocks near the Beaconsfield Hotel on St Kilda beach on February 24.

Edward Hoban, of independent means, living at the Esplanade St Kilda, said that Fogarty had been his close friend for 20 years Shortly before his death Fogarty spent an evening at his house. He was then perfectly sober and in good spirit. When departing he promised to call again.

Evidence was given by the police of the finding of a hat and coat subsequently identified as Fogarty's, on the pier at St Kilda The hat was stuffed into one of the pockets of the coat and one of the coat sleeves was tied to the railing of the pier

Dr. Cole said that it was clear that Forgarty had died by his own act There were documents in his pockets which showed that he was in serious trouble No evidence of the state of his mind had been adduced.