Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6652Forgery; using a false instrument · Co. Galway

Galway man charged over alleged €1.4m cheque forgery

Peter O'Toole (76), with an address at Leagaun, Moycullen, Co Galway, is charged with forgery and using a false instrument over an alleged AIB cheque for €1.425 million that belonged to Peter Lydon and was payable to DM O'Connor and Company solicitors. The alleged offences were committed between January 4 and 7, 2019. Gardaí arrested him at 7.45am on the day of his appearance at Galway District Court, reported on 30 January 2024, where he made no reply to either charge. He was remanded on bail to the same court on March 6.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Jan
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Peter O'Toole (76), a man from Galway, has been charged with forging a cheque for more than €1.4 million.
  • The alleged cheque was an AIB cheque belonging to Peter Lydon, payable to DM O'Connor and Company solicitors for €1.425 million.
Where
He has an address at Leagaun, Moycullen, Co Galway.
When
The alleged offences were committed between January 4 and 7, 2019.
Charges
  • He is charged with two offences under the theft and fraud offences legislation: forgery and using a false instrument.
  • He is also alleged to have created the document.
Investigation
Gardaí, including a Galway Garda detective, arrested him at 7.45am on the day of his court appearance for the purpose of charge.
In court
  • He appeared at Galway District Court on a Monday, as reported on 30 January 2024.
  • He made no reply to either charge.
Sentence
He was remanded on bail to the same court on March 6.
Other details
Reports describe the amount as more than €1.4 million, while the cheque in the charge is for €1.425 million.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Galway man was charged with forging a cheque for more than €1.4 million. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man has been charged with forging a cheque for more than €1.4 million. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whatThe alleged cheque was an AIB cheque belonging to Peter Lydon, payable to DM O'Connor and Company solicitors for €1.425 million. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereHe has an address at Leagaun, Moycullen, Co Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe appeared at Galway District Court. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences were committed between January 4 and 7, 2019. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested him at 7.45am on the day of the court appearance for the purpose of charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Galway Garda detective arrested him at 7.45am on the day of the court appearance for the purpose of charge. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with two offences under the theft and fraud act. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
  • chargeOne charge is forgery and the other is using a false instrument. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have used an AIB cheque for €1.425 million, made payable to DM O’Connor and Company solicitors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is also alleged to have created the document. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeOne count is forgery and the other is using a false instrument. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtHe appeared at Galway District Court on a Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe made no reply to either charge. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
  • sentenceHe was remanded on bail to the same court on March 6. (irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2024
    In courtgalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Well known Galway man charged over €1 million cheque forging fraud

    Reports a court appearance by Peter O'Toole on two fraud-related charges, with the alleged offences dated to January 2019. Gives the charges, the cheque details, the arrest time and the bail date.

    accused, Peter O'Toole, 76, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Toole
  2. 30 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Galway man in court charged with forging cheque for €1.4 million

    Reports the court appearance and charges against Peter O’Toole, including the alleged cheque amount, the 2019 date range of the alleged offences, his arrest on the day of charge, and his bail date.

    accused, Peter O'Toole, 76, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Toole