The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was met with cheers and jeers as he left Dublin Castle after his second day of evidence before the Mahon tribunal yesterday, writes John Downes.
As they had the previous day, a group of his supporters awaited his exit through the nearby offices of the Revenue Commissioners, cheering and applauding when he appeared.
Their support for Mr Ahern was counterbalanced this time, however, by the jeers of others among the group of about 100 people gathered to await his departure.
After he emerged, Mr Ahern paused and smiled for photographers before proceeding to his waiting car.
The views of members of the public who sat in a packed gallery during yesterday's sitting were mixed.
Denis and Marie Murray had travelled from Wexford, as they regularly do, to attend yesterday's sitting. Mr Murray described himself and his wife as "staunchly Fianna Fáil".
"Bertie's a consummate pro, he'd teach them fellas in there a thing or two," he said.
"I have known very hard times in this country, I had to emigrate in the 1950s to London to get work, that isn't the case now," Mr Murray said.
However, Paul Donnelly from Dublin felt yesterday's appearance had been "very damaging" for Mr Ahern.
"I would have been sceptical to start with. My anticipation was that at the end of the process there wouldn't be a definite conclusion. But I've a feeling that the tribunal's case has hardened considerably," he said.
"I think their case is hanging together a lot more credibly even if at the end of the day it is not a QED."
John O'Byrne also felt that the tribunal team were "incredibly forensic" in their approach, something which he welcomed.
"It's as if there's a big arc light being shone on him whereas others are only getting a little torch shone on them," he said. "He's under pressure but he takes pressure well, he's so experienced.
"Bertie's very good on the macro stuff . . . he's very good at appealing to the court of public opinion . . . but he just can't handle the level of detail they're throwing at him."
Martina Kealy said she had voted for Fianna Fáil in the recent election but after hearing yesterday's proceedings she would have to think "very seriously" about doing so again.
She said Mr Ahern's explanations regarding the sterling lodgement did not seem to make sense. "I think he plays to the audience, you know, and is very clever."
For Claire Nolan (23), however, the fact that Mr Ahern was re-elected in May showed that the general public supported him. "To be honest it was 14 years ago (sic) and what difference will it make to the running of the country now?" she said, adding "I just think he's done a very good job."