While he was believed to be under threat from a violent criminal, gardaí are not treating his death as suspicious.

He was found dead in his home in Arklow, Co Wicklow on Thursday last week. He had suffered from various medical issues including chronic pain and spinal problems.

A member of An Garda Síochána, he had served in a motorcycle unit until suffering an injury on duty. He was called to the Bar in 1992 and established a successful criminal defence practice.

Gang leader Eamon Dunne was one of his most prominent clients. Mr Toal represented him a number of times before he was shot dead in 2010.

In August last year, Mr Toal was assaulted by a former client, a drug dealer, who head-butted and punched him and stole his car. Mr Toal alleged there had been threats against his life. Investigators are still trying to locate the suspect in the attack.

It is understood that he died peacefully in his bed at his home Briggs Lane, Arklow.

A garda spokeswoman said: “The matter is being treated as a sudden death. A file has been prepared for the coroner.”