A former long-serving secretary of the Department of Justice, Mr Andrew Ward, died in Dublin at the weekend, aged 73.
A native of Cork, Mr Ward entered the Civil Service in 1946. He was appointed assistant secretary to the Department in 1967 and secretary two years later.
Until his retirement in 1986, he was one of the most influential civil servants in the State, serving under seven different ministers for justice, including, Mr Sean Doherty, Mr Patrick Cooney and Mr Des O'Malley.
He was centrally involved in negotiations which led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Characteristically, he shunned any praise of his achievements.
Paying tribute last night, Mr Jim Mitchell TD, Minister for Justice between June 1981 and March 1982, said Mr Ward "was one of the pre-eminent public servants of his time, a man of immense intellect and total commitment to public service". As well having "absolute integrity", Mr Mitchell said, "he was modest, frugal and completely private".
Mr Ward is survived by his wife, Benvon, daughters Anne and May, and son Eoin. His funeral takes place after 10 a.m. Mass today at the Church of St Pius X, Fortfield, Dublin, to Mount Jerome Cemetery.