Elaine Loughlin: Some 'caught on the hop' but writing was on the wall for Varadkar's resignation 

As far back as 2015, Varadkar had admitted that he wouldn't be in politics for life and, having reached the top office, he now bows out on his own terms, writes Elaine Loughlin

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announces his resignation as both Taoiseach and party leader of Fine Gael. Picture: Collins 

The first signs that something extraordinary was brewing came when Leo Varadkar's innermost circle was spotted in the Dáil canteen at around 9am, not exactly a regular occurrence.

But the writing had been on the wall for some time. Perhaps the media should have read more into the private gathering of around 30 people, including his most trusted advisers, in Blair House opposite the White House on Friday night.