When Leo Varadkar stepped down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, Pachal Donohoe was abroad at a meeting of the Eurogroup, of which he was the chair.

While allies of Simon Harris flooded the airwaves with messages of support, a small cohort held fire. They were waiting to see if Paschal Donohoe would declare. By lunchtime, Mr Donohoe had not yet signalled his intention, and Mr Harris’s momentum was undeniable. 

You have reached your article limit. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Continue reading for €5

Unlock unlimited access and exclusive benefits

View offer

Cancel anytime

CONNECT WITH US TODAY

WHATSAPP

NEWSLETTERS

NOTIFICATIONS

Be the first to know the latest news and updates

more articles

Taoiseach leads tributes after death of former Fianna Fáil TD Rory O’Hanlon

Death announced of former Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon 

Fianna Fáil select 25-year-old councillor as candidate for Galway bye-election

More in this section

The climate change warnings are getting louder — are we just refusing to listen?

Paul Hosford: Ministerial meeting in Ukrainian bomb shelter reminds us of the stakes 

If Donald Trump were your ageing father, when would you take away his car keys?



Paul Hosford: Ukraine war merely another chapter in Russia's aggression against its neighbour

READ NOW