Even in repose, according to two of his closest friends, the spirit of Charles J Haughey lives on.
Speaking to reporters yesterday outside Abbeville, the Haughey mansion in Kinsealy, north Co Dublin, former finance minister Ray MacSharry said his ex-boss was wearing a smile of "old devilment" as he lay in the coffin.
Later former Fianna Fáil adviser P J Mara emerged from his Jaguar to describe his old friend's expression in death as a "half-smile" that was both "sardonic" and "knowing".
On the tree-lined driveway leading up to the house a private road, a no entrance sign warned off casual visitors to the estate. There were no floral tributes marking the spot where Mr Haughey lived. No outward expressions of a nation in mourning.
But the cars of his friends, his neighbours and his colleagues kept coming all day as gardaí stopped the traffic to allow visitors unhindered entry and exit to Abbeville.
Through the windows of four-wheel drives and expensive cars were glimpsed mourners paying their respects. Women wearing pearls, bouquets of lilies ready to be delivered. White-haired business men in suits, friends, neighbours, and, of course, a steady stream of politicians.
Few stopped to talk as they left but when they did it was with voices cracked with emotion. Family friend Bernie Wright had tears in her eyes as she spoke of the "wonderful man" she knew. "There was so much good about him, I hate to hear bad, he was just a lovely person," she said.
Ms Miriam Ahern visited Kinsealy with her daughter, best-selling novelist Cecilia Ahern.
Also there were Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue, former SDLP leader John Hume and race horse owner John Magnier. The new Donnycarney parish priest Fr Peter Finnerty visited the family and former Miss Ireland Siobhán McClafferty whizzed past reporters and photographers in a convertible.
Just before 3pm Taoiseach Bertie Ahern arrived to offer his condolences. He spent over half-an-hour with the Haughey family but didn't stop to speak as he left.
Earlier Mr MacSharry spoke at length to reporters and was full of praise for both Mr Haughey and his wife, Maureen, who he said was "one of the strongest women Ireland had ever produced". Mr Haughey's personal life was controversial, he added, but nobody could deny the good he had done for his country.
In the most poignant contribution, the usually ebullient PJ Mara looked drained as he spoke of his sadness at the passing of his great friend. His long illness, he said, meant Mr Haughey's death was "a release for his family and for him".
Asked whether he thought the former taoiseach might have had any regrets, Mr Mara said he was sure he would not. Mr Haughey's motto had been "never explain, never apologise", he said fondly. Then he walked down the driveway towards his car, a lonely-looking figure mourning one of his oldest friends.