Patrick Dorrian (then Bishop of Down and Connor) recognised Tohill's scholarly ability and even before he was ordained priest he was appointed to the staff of Diocesan College in Belfast.
An Irish Times obituary recalled that during the 1886 Belfast riots "Fr Tohill exercised his influence in the interests of peace."
[5] Additionally he presented a list of Catholic businesses wrecked in Protestant districts, suggesting the attacks were far from random outburts of sectarian violence but systematic in nature.
[10] He died after a year long illness in St. Malachy's College on 4 July 1914 and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, West Belfast.
A London Times obituary claimed he had been appointed bishop because he had had no interest in politics and paid tribute to his "quiet, unassuming character.