The death has taken place of senior counsel Eamon Leahy. Mr Leahy, 46, who is the husband of Mary Hanafin, the Government Chief Whip was taken ill suddenly in his Donegal hotel early today.
He died on his way to hospital in Co Donegal.
His wife, Mary Hanafin was travelling onbusiness to Chile when the news was broken to her. She has since returned to the country.
Mr Leahy was senior legal representative for the Garda Siochána at the Morris Tribunal into garda corruption allegations.
Tributes poured in for Mr Leahy from politicians and lawyers across thecountry.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell said he learned of the "sad and untimely death" of Mr Leahy with a profound sense of shock.
He said: "Mr Leahy was a brilliant lawyer who exemplified the best in the profession he so loved.
"While he was well known for his superb skills of advocacy in representing the State or individuals in criminal cases, Mr Leahy also made an enormouscontribution in recent years to the development and modernisation of the widercriminal justice system."
The lawyer served as a member of the Release of Prisoners Commission and theExpert Group appointed to consider changes in Ireland's criminal law recommendedin a recent report.
He was also chairman of the Legal Aid Board.Mr McDowell offered his condolences to Mr Leahy's widow, his family andfriends.
Morris Tribunal chairman and former High Court President Mr Justice FrederickMorris called Mr Leahy's death "an appalling and devastating blow," andadjourned the inquiry until tomorrow, when the position will be furtherreviewed.
Before assembling today, the hearing was delayed because of "unforeseenreasons", and later lawyers and officials gathered in Donegal courthouse merelyto pay tribute to their dead colleague.
Mr Justice Morris said Mr Leahy had been an esteemed colleague, adding: "Forthe bar to be deprived of his talents at such an early age is nothing short oftragic.
"For his friends, his death is shattering. I and my colleagues on the benchhave recognised in Eamon for many years his special and outstandingqualities."
The tribunal chief said Mr Leahy and his wife's devotion to each other was"something on which friends constantly remarked".
Anthony Barr, representing the tribunal, said his senior colleagues PeterCharleton and Paul McDermott had stayed at the hospital together with Mr Leahy'sremains.