The former High Court judge Mr Justice Rory O'Hanlon died in a Dublin hospital today following a short illness.
Mr Justice Hanlon, who would have been 79-years-of age next month, was called to the bar in 1946. He was appointed to the High Court in 1981 where he served until his retirement in 1995.
He was outspoken on a number of social issues. He was a trenchant opponent of the introduction of divorce in the State and a strong supporter of anti-abortion laws.
In 1992, he was dismissed as a president of the Irish Law Reform Commission by then Prime Minister Albert Reynolds after being quoted as saying he would favour Ireland's withdrawal from the European Union if it meant the introduction of abortion in the country.
Mr Reynolds said it would be inappropriate for the judge to say publicly views that expressed to the government how policy should be formulated.
But after his retirement from the High Court, he initiated legal proceedings over the affair and was awarded a substantial out-of-court settlement by the government.
Mr Justice O'Hanlon also went on record to criticise the relationship between the Taoiseach Mr Ahern and his partner Ms Celia Larkin, who accompanies him at official functions, saying it was a defiance of convention and disrespectful to the Irish people.
He attended University College Dublin and also Colaiste Mhuire.
He is survived by is wife Barbara and 12 children.