Mr Barnes practised on the Dublin and Midland Circuits and was the son of the State’s first director of public prosecutions.

His father Eamonn Barnes, who called to the Bar in 1958, was appointed DPP in 1975.

The 50th anniversary of the DPP’s office was marked earlier this year with a commemorative event and a new book.

The younger Mr Barnes followed his father into the legal profession, calling to the Bar in 1992.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey held the minute of silence in High Court 1 this morning.