Gay man's death in Wollongong CBD to remain unclear

* There is insufficient evidence to prove William "Bill" Rooney was killed as the result of a gay hate crime.

* The 35-year-old gay Scottish man died six days after being found seriously injured behind a toilet block in the Wollongong's CBD on Valentine's Day in 1986.

* He was found wearing one sock and shoe, with his pants unzipped and underwear pulled down. Emergency services were told he had fallen from the roof of a shop.

* The surrounding area was hosed down before it could be inspected by detectives and no evidence was collected about whether he was sexually assaulted.

* His partner, Wayne Davis, told police Mr Rooney had been talking with a known gay basher, Leslie John Harrison, also known as "Radar", before the incident.

* Mr Davis felt police were not interested in investigating the case, saying "it was just another p**fter".

* Strike Force Parrabell, which was investigating gay hate crimes, concluded there had been no bias link in the incident, contradicting notes in the force's report.

* Counsel Assisting Meg O'Brien urged the inquiry to find Mr Rooney died of blunt head injuries, with insufficient evidence to establish whether it was the result of an assault or fall.

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Australian Associated Press