Born in Belfast in 1929, Mr Fitzpatrick was admitted as a solicitor in 1954 and began to practise civil law in the firm established by his father.

He became a partner in James F. Fitzpatrick Solicitors and maintained a busy practice throughout the 1960s.

In 1969, he was appointed as a director of The Irish News – again following in the footsteps of his father. He soon began to write for the paper and became managing editor in 1981. The following year, he became its chairman and largest shareholder.

The Law Society of Northern Ireland said it offers its deepest condolences to the Fitzpatrick family.