[1] While studying at University College Dublin, O'Toole won a 200 m breaststroke silver medal at the 1989 European Long Course Championships in Bonn.

[2] As a prominent member of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, O'Toole had been approached to make representations on behalf of the victims of the George Gibney scandal.

His complaints were ignored and led to a major investigation into the incidents and ultimately to the disbandment of the IASA and the creation of Swim Ireland.

He also has a keen interest in musculoskeletal cancer (bone and soft tissue tumours).

[5] He continued to provide expert analysis for RTÉ Sport's Olympic swimming coverage.