The Supreme Court held a special sitting this afternoon (19 January) to mark the passing of the former Chief Justice John Murray.

A native of Limerick, he was Chief Justice from 2004 to 2011, and served twice as Attorney General.

He also served on the EU's highest court, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

Born in 1943, he attended UCD and the King's Inns, and was elected president of the Union of Students in Ireland in 1966 and 1967.

'Distinguished jurist'

The Minister for Justice Simon Harris led the tributes to John Murray, describing him as "a most distinguished jurist".

"He was rightly proud of the institutions of our State, and took pride in his own service in one of its great institutions, the Supreme Court," the minister said.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said that John Murray had "a great commitment to public service, democracy, and the rule of law".

King's Inns described him as "an eminent barrister who rose to the highest judicial office in the State".

It added that he had also been an honorary bencher of King’s Inns following his retirement, “where he continued to support King’s Inns and our students”.