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Offaly Farmer Urges Reopened Investigation Into Forged Signature

Monday, 16 February 2026 13:29

Birr's Martin O'Toole claims his signature was forged on the deed of trust for a commercial building he did not pay for.

An Offaly farmer wants Gardaí to reopen an investigation into how his signature was allegedly forged making him the legal owner of a building he never paid for.

Birr's Martin O'Toole agreed to buy a commercial property in trust for an associate in 2008 believing he would get it at a lower price.

After more than ten years Mr O'Toole discovered he was the legal owner of the property when he asked to return it back to its owners.

At this point he alleged to Gardaí that the signature on the deed of trust document was forged, according to a garda file seen by the Sunday Independent.

The retired publican then unsuccessfully asked for €100,000 from the beneficial owners in return for signing the property over.

Mr O’Toole was then sued for allegedly failing to honour the deed of trust by transferring the property to its beneficial owners. 

That case was settled out of court last year, with the 65 year old agreeing to relinquish the property.

A covering letter on the file from Gardaí says there's some level of circumstantial evidence relating to the fraudulent signature.

A handwriting expert found "strong" but not conclusive evidence that Mr O’Toole’s signature was forged.

While the DPP says the transaction is mired in confusion with it being signed by many people and seems to have been in several pubs and guesthouses in Birr. 

Its conclusion at the time was that it would be impossible to say who forged it, even if it could be proved it was forged.

Mr O'Toole has made a second complaint and says he's concerned it's not being pursued.
 

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