Tribute was paid in the High Court yesterday by Mr Justice O'Donovan, Mr James Salafia SC, and Mr Nehru Morgan Pillay, a barrister, to the late Mr Justice Peter Shanley who died suddenly on Monday while attending a conference of judges in Portugal.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said the Bar lost one of its brightest stars when Mr Shanley (52) was appointed a High Court judge but added that the corresponding benefit to the Bench had been enormous as had been evidenced from the learned judgments he had given during his short tenure.
Despite the demands of his profession, Peter Shanley had served with distinction for many years on the Bar Council of which he was chairman for two years.
During those years, the Bar Council had developed the first of the two new law library buildings in Church Street which had affectionately become known as Shanley Towers.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said Peter Shanley had been remarkable in every respect.
Mr Salafia, on behalf of the Inner Bar, joined in offering the legal profession's sincere sympathy to Mr Shanley's widow, Marian, and his five children.
Mr Pillay, on behalf of the junior members of the Bar Council, said the entire legal profession had suffered as a result of Mr Shanley's untimely death.
Mr Justice Shanley died of a heart attack on Monday while attending a judicial seminar in Oporto, Portugal.