Vodafone Rep Jumped To His Death From Restaurant After Leaving Note Saying, 'I've Cracked'

An Irish Vodafone rep was the sixth person to fall to their death from London restaurant Coq D’Argent, an inquest has heard.

Mike Halligan, 29, from Dublin, died from multiple injuries including skull fractures after falling 80ft from the restaurant in Bank on Sunday, January 17 this year.

Mr Halligan, who lived in Stuttgart, Germany, had travelled to London from Dublin the weekend of his death, City of London Coroners Court heard on Monday.

He was the sixth person to die after falling from Coq D’Argent since 2007.

Mr Halligan went to the restaurant shortly after 2.50pm and ordered a meal, and was inadvertently photographed by a family dining nearby.

The court heard he later climbed a two-metre high fence before jumping to his death.

The fence had been erected as a security measure after five previous deaths. The restaurant have also placed security staff at the terrace.

Sergeant Fiona Doll told the coroner that officers had found a number of text messages on Mr Halligan’s phone which had not been sent.

One said: “I am bored of life and the future possibilities disinterest me. It’s nobody’s fault. Nothing could have been done to change it.”

Another message read: “I have cracked.”

A post-mortem examination revealed there were no alcohol or drugs in his bloodstream when he died.

When discussing his conclusion of suicide with the family, Coroner Dr Roy Palmer said: “If you are going to jump off a roof in that way having left those messages I don’t think there can be any doubt about it.”

The coroner said: “I am very sorry you have lost your son and your brother in such sad circumstances.”

In a statement, Vodafone said it was “deeply saddened to learn” of Mr Halligan’s death.

There have been five previous deaths from falling from the restaurant terrace.

In October 2012, South African banker Nico Lambrechts, 46, a father-of-three, jumped from the terrace because of extreme stress at work.

A month earlier, British Library manager Rema Begum, 29, fell to her death after suffering depression when a Facebook stalker abused her for her westernised lifestyle.

In July 2009, Oxford graduate stockbroker and Deutsche Bank worker Anjool Malde, 24, jumped to his death holding a glass of champagne after being suspended from his job.

And in May 2007, City marketing executive Richard Ford, 34, died after he fell from the terrace and landed on a bus.

(Pictures: SWNS)