Tributes have been paid to Eamonn Barnes, Ireland’s first Director of Public Prosecutions, who has passed away at the age of 83.

Mr Barnes, who called to the Bar in 1958 and joined the Office of the Attorney General in 1966, became DPP when it was separated from the Attorney General’s role for the first time.

He held the office for 25 years, from 1974 to his retirement in 1999, attracting national and international respect.

He played an instrumental role in forming the International Association of Prosecutors in 1995 and was later recognised as an honorary member at an event in Beijing when he retired in 1999.

Claire Loftus, the current Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “I, along with my colleagues, had the greatest admiration for Eamonn Barnes as a public servant and as Ireland’s first Director of Public Prosecutions. He set up this Office, asserted its statutory independence, and established the highest prosecutorial standards which we still adhere to today. I join with the staff of this Office in extending our deepest sympathies to Mr. Barnes’ children and extended family.”

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said Mr Barnes “served the State with considerable distinction in that role for 25 years, establishing the unquestioned independence of the position from Government”.

Ken Murphy, director general of the Law Society, added: “It is a testament to the character and integrity of Eamonn Barnes that the role of DPP was successfully established. Many observers over the years have noted that given the times and politics of the day, it was essential that an individual completely independent of Government make decisions about prosecutions on proper legal grounds alone.

“However Mr Barnes’ personal attributes and conviction about the independence of the Office safeguarded the role and has truly set the standard that has been maintained to this day.”