A picture of former UL Chancellor John Murray
John Murray, a two time Attorney General, served as UL Chancellor from 2013 until the end of 2017 Picture: Alan Place
Thursday, 19 January 2023

The University of Limerick community is deeply saddened by news of the death of UL Chancellor Emeritus and former Chief Justice of Ireland John Murray.

Mr Murray, a two time Attorney General, served as UL Chancellor from 2013 until the end of 2017.

UL Chancellor Mary Harney said: “Justice Murray had strong links to University of Limerick spanning generations as his late father Cecil Murray was a vocal activist for the city and was a member of the Limerick University Project Action Committee. Justice Murray himself then went on to carry out extraordinary work in drafting the University of Limerick Act 1989 which passed in June of that year and allowed UL to attain full university status.”

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey said: “UL benefited hugely from Justice Murray’s leadership, vast experience and wise counsel over the term of his time in office as UL Chancellor. His contribution to justice in Ireland cannot be over stated.

“When John took on the role of Chancellor at UL he said that ‘learning and education concern the soul of a nation’ and he was deeply committed to that vision and the provision of education. He will be sadly missed by his many colleagues and friends at University of Limerick,” Professor Mey added.