Leo Varadkar looked 'broken and exhausted' as resignation catches potential heirs off guard

BRAVE FACE: On a clearly bruising day, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar fulfilled a promise to the Irish Cancer Society when he joined Traolach, 5, and Conán, 2, to launch Daffodil Day 2024 which takes place on Friday. See Cancer.ie/DaffodilDay. Picture: Nick Bradshaw/PA Wire

Leo Varadkar appeared "broken", "tired" and "exhausted", party colleagues said in the wake of his shock departure.

Many TDs and senators said they had only heard of the Taoiseach's resignation in the minutes beforehand, while one public representative said they had been told by a Leinster House staff member.