Taxing times

Ancient warrior of the bar in tax man's sights … ATO wants blood from former bar councillor and ethics man … Dismay on Palm Plaza 

What's going on with Barry Toomey QC, 76, one of the grizzled lions of the Sydney bar 'n' grill? 

The Daily Smellograph reported a week ago that the ATO was on Toomey's tail.  

The deputy commissioner is reported to have applied to bankrupt the mighty silk, claiming he owes a derisory $1.28 million. 

Following a round in the Supreme Court in last July, Toomey forked out $46,000 of $1.31 million he is alleged to have owed, but the balance apparently is still wanting. 

Maybe the tax man has made a mistake, but right now things are looking precarious for the wily brief. 

The Federal Magistrates Court has listed DCT v Barry Michael Joseph Toomey for a sequestration hearing on May 18. 

I'm sure there is some explanation, although Barry has not taken calls from reptiles of the press. 

Jack Shand chambers' website is groaning with the great man's accomplishments. 

Importantly, he's been on the bar council and chairman of a number of the club's ethics' committees. 

He also sat on the bar's 2011 silk selection committee. 

He would have made various disclosures when he last applied to renew his ticket, so the bar tenders and keg men must be satisfied that everything is perfectly as it should be. 

I'm also reminded of Toomey's foray into public commentary on the matter of Ms Kristy Fraser-Kirk's $37 million sexual harassment claim against David Jones and the shop's then CEO, Mark McInnes:  

In August 2010 a letter from the tax stricken barrister appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald: 

"I note that Ms Fraser-Kirk is a publicist. I note that her parents and boyfriend stood beside her as she bravely faced the media, a furtive tear on her cheek. They ought to have said to her, 'Get a life, Kristy'."