Press photographers must be sick of the sight of the red Mitsubishi jeep that Liam Lawlor uses as his chosen mode of locomotion when going to and from Mountjoy Prison.
In what has now become a familiar scene, Lawlor eluded the media pack when he was granted his liberty shortly after noon today by being collected in the red jeep with blacked-out windows.
As his one-month sentence for failing to co-operate with the Flood Tribunal ended, an umbrella prevented the unhappy snappers getting the prize picture as the disgraced former Fianna Fáil TD went out the front door of the prison and walked the few feet to where his carriage waited.
During his stay, Lawlor was given use of facilities to continue his attempts to comply with the tribunal through correspondence and phone calls. He was also allowed to attend a Dáil debate calling for his resignation as a TD.
While serving the latest and longest of his three sentences, Lawlor was unanimously called upon to resign his Dáil seat by his peers.
But despite the apparent unanimity, Lawlor still caused a slanging match when Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan criticised Attorney General Mr McDowell for failing to advise the Dáil that Lawlor was legally entitled to attend the debate. An angry attorney general responded that Lawlor’s attendance had nothing to do with Dáil rules.
At the end of an hour-long debate, Lawlor declined his colleagues’ invitation and is now in a position to fight the upcoming General Election.
Although it is unlikely that he will pitch himself into another battle while his wrangle with the Flood Tribunal lawyers is far from resolved, the Lucan-based TD may think twice before taking an Easter break.
Not only would the €350,000 legal bill he must meet make anyone think twice about spending on anything other necessities, he will also remember the last time he had a holiday he was embroiled in controversy when he received special treatment at Dublin Airport after his return from a short trip to New York.
Aer Rianta director Mr Dermot O'Leary was forced to make a public apology as a result of the incident, and the Minister for Public Enterprsie, Ms O’Rourke, was strongly criticised for not sacking Mr O’Leary amid claims of Fianna Fáil cronyism.
With so much going on around him while incarcerated, Lawlor may yet reflect on the peace of penitence.