Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman passes away suddenly

The Supreme Court is expected to convene at 2pm for a special session in commemoration of the judge.

President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Mr Justice Hardiman as someone who has made “an immense contribution to the development of Irish law”.

He added: “The depth and rigour of his legal analysis has been matched by the eloquence and clarity of his judgments.

“A strong voice on the Court, he has been rightly recognised as a particularly passionate defender of civil liberties and of individual freedoms.”

In a statement, Chief Justice Susan Denham said she “received the news with great sadness and shock and her immediate reaction was to be mindful of the needs of his wife and family”.

She described Mr Justice Hardiman as “a man who had made great and courageous efforts on behalf of those who sought justice”.

His legacy was hailed across the legal profession.

The Law Society of Ireland offered its “sincere condolences” to “a truly gifted lawyer and supreme court judge”.

King’s Inns said it would “mourn with great sadness the passing of our Bencher colleague, Supreme Court Judge Adrian Hardiman”.

Professor Gary Murphy, head of the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University (DCU), told Irish Legal News: “We in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University are deeply saddened by the death of Justice Adrian Hardiman.

“Justice Hardiman was Judge in Residence at the School of Law and Government and was not only an outstanding jurist but a great friend to our school and our students.

“Mr Justice Hardiman was pro-active in requesting opportunities to meet and discuss the law with DCU students and was unique in his willingness to debate the legal principles and outcomes of Supreme Court decisions including the justiciability of socio-economic rights and the rights of the accused in the criminal justice system. This interaction was formative in the education of DCU students.

“In addition, Mr Justice Hardiman sought out DCU students chosen to work as judicial research assistants for the Courts Service in order to welcome them and introduce them to judges and barristers. He will be sadly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”