Tributes have been paid to the former Chief Justice of Ireland, Thomas Finlay, who has passed away at the age of 95.

Mr Justice Finlay called to the Bar in 1944 and served as a Fine Gael TD in the 1950s.

He was appointed a High Court judge in 1971 and president of the High Court three years later, before eventually being appointed Chief Justice of Ireland in 1985.

He gave the leading judgment in the landmark 1992 case, Attorney General v X, where a 14-year-old girl, pregnant as a consequence of rape, was legally allowed to travel to England for an abortion.

President Michael D. Higgins said: “As President of Ireland, may I convey my condolences to his family and friends, as well as express our nation’s thanks for his contribution to public life in so many fields.

“As a member of the Supreme Court and indeed as a member of Dáil Éireann, Tom Finlay left a legacy of public service, including a robust defence of the constitution and its provisions on parliamentary privilege and citizens’ rights.”

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “Over the course of long career his fine skills of legal analysis and his humanity were always to the fore and were brought to bear in the many significant legal cases and inquiries of public importance in which he was involved.

“I wish to express my deepest condolences to his family on this sad day, including to his daughter Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan.

“I express also my appreciation for his great contribution to public life and dedicated service to the State.”

Paul McGarry SC, chairman of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, said: “Thomas was universally revered by his colleagues for the exceptional contribution he made to the legal profession in his lifetime, ranging from his work defending Capt Kelly in the 1970s Arms Trial to the 11 years he presided over the High Court, then as Chief Justice of Ireland, a position he held for nine years.

“His many judgments on Constitutional Law were the subject of public attention and commentary, including those relating to Garda powers, cabinet confidentiality, the nature of Tribunals, and abortion issues.

“His contribution to the profession and to the State did not stop when he retired as Chief Justice. He was frequently called upon to dedicate time to a major public inquiries, into for example Hepatitis C, the Lansdowne Road riots and the Commission on the newspaper industry. He was also a member of the Council of State for over 40 years.

“Few have achieved as much as Thomas Finlay did in his career or are so widely respected. His name is synonymous with diligence, pragmatism, and wisdom. He was considered a giant of the law and a father figure to many in the Law Library, where he will be fondly remembered for his courteous disposition and equanimity to his colleagues and in court.”