The district judge in Tipperary died on Wednesday night after a short period of illness. She had worked as a solicitor for 24 years before her appointment as a judge in 2007.

Paying tribute, justice minister Helen McEntee said: “It is with great sadness I learned of the untimely death of Judge Elizabeth MacGrath, who has given dedicated service to the State since first appointed to the bench in 2007.

“From 2012 she has served as district judge in Tipperary and I know she will be hugely missed by everyone who had the privilege to know her.

“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to her husband, family and friends on their loss.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”