McKittrick writes that Lawlor did not have
the political sense even to try to conceal the obvious corruption. He did not trouble to observe the common decencies of corruption.
Businessmen would sit in the public gallery of Dublin County Council during meetings watching as Lawlor guided their applications through. Afterwards some of them and some councillors would repair to a nearby pub. There, it is presumed, cash-stuffed brown envelopes would surreptitiously change hands.
