The death has taken place of the former President of the District Court Judge Peter Smithwick (pictured), who was 85.

Having retired as President of the District Court In 2005, he was appointed sole member of a tribunal of inquiry into alleged garda collusion in the 1989 murders of two RUC officers in south Armagh, as they returned from a meeting in Dundalk.

His findings, published in 2013, included that he was satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, there was collusion in the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan.

Apology

The findings led to an apology, made by then Minister for Justice Alan Shatter on behalf of the Government, for any failings identified in the report on the part of the State or any of its agencies.

Part of the famous Smithwick’s brewing family, Judge Smithwick joined his father Walter’s solicitors’ practice in 1958, aged 21.

Judge Smithwick is survived by his wife Deirdre, and daughters Thalia and Aoife,

His funeral Mass is being celebrated this morning (11 March) in St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny.