The death has taken place of the first ever female High Court judge in Ireland.
Miss Justice Mella Carroll (71) retired as a High Court judge last November.
She was appointed to the High Court in 1980.
She was chairwoman of the Bar Council in the late 1970s and 1980s and inaugurated the new law library
Among many other appointments, she chaired the Commission on Nursing, producing a landmark report, and was a judge of the administrative tribunal of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva.
In a statement, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern extended the Government's sympathies to the family and friends of Ms Carroll.
"On a sad occasion such as this, it is important to acknowledge her inestimable contribution to public life.
"She has given decades of service to the Irish people. She was the first female Judge of the High Court, where she served with great distinction.
"In addition Ms Justice Mella Carroll served as an international judge and jurist and brought great credit to the country.
"Her involvement with the Commission on Nursing and the Council for the Status of Women enabled Irish society to benefit from her wisdom, and sense of fairness and justice. Her death is a great loss to all of us."