Guard of runner. Officers shield film star Farrell for marathon run.
Byline: LOUISE WALSHFOUR gardai who ran the Dublin marathon formed a shield around Colin Farrell to prevent overeager fans seeking selfies or autographs tripping him up.
Detectives Ian Redican, Barry Duggan, Ernie Frazer and Det Segt Tom Power swapped their CSI suits for running vests for the event in the capital.
The Penguin star took part to raise almost €790,000 for Debra Ireland, which supports those with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare and painful skin condition often called "Butterfly Skin".
The actor pushed his close friend Emma Fogarty for the last 4km, which represented 1km for every decade she has lived with the painful condition.
Det Garda Redican, who provides training support for club members, said: "I got a phone call in the lead up to the marathon from Inspector Liam White in the Dublin Traffic Division, asking if any of the Garda Athletic Club who were already planning to run, would be interested in running the race with Colin.
"Every year about 150 gardai run in the Dublin Marathon and it was a big ask to get runners, who had already been training hard for the past six months to give up their own race ambitions to run someone else's race instead.
"I've 23 marathons under my belt so I wasn't going for a personal best and Barry, Ernie and Tom all came on board quickly too.
"It was just a coincidence we are all in the Technical Bureau so we swapped white CSI suits for blue vests." DS Power has completed 24 marathons, Ernie has done three, and Barry has two to his name and all four said they were only delighted to help out.
Colin lined up to start the race beside a sea of 100 'Blue Line' vests including recently appointed Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly and Assistant
Commissioner Michael McElgunn. He stood beside Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Angela Willis as he belted out the National Anthem.
DS Power said: "People's hearts are in the right place and I'm sure they wouldn't wish to cause any disruption that might cause injury. But Colin is such a star and the Irish love him.
"But sometimes the blinkers can be on, and we would've been disappointed if his charity effort came off the tracks."
Ian described Colin as a "gentleman" in their meetings ahead of the race.
He said: "He was absolutely lovely when we were hanging out with him.
"He was asking us to go easy on him and we just told him to go at a pace he was comfortable with because it was his race. During the event, there were loads of old neighbours from Castleour knock shouting encouragement at him and he was acknowledging everyone.
"But anywhere there were people, he seemed to get faster and we were just telling him to pull back in case he wore himself out too early.
"I think he was just overawed with everything because he didn't know what to expect and he would ask our advice through the race if his legs were a bit tight or how he was feeling in general and we would just say it was all normal.
"I'd say he was running on adrenalin."
"He was such a genuine guy and I noticed he had a remarkable ability to remember everyone's name, which I thought was incredible with all the people he meets. I was impressed.
"We are all seasoned runners so we knew the course. We created a bubble for him to run and provided an escort.
"We all got medals, Colin got a medal, everything went like a dream and we feel we made our contribution to Debra Ireland on the day. I'd say like the rest of us, he was hurting on Monday."
Det Garda Frazer said: "The atmosphere was incredible and everyone was extremely respectful of Colin.
"Company is great in a marathon - the miles go by fast. Colin was chatting about everything from growing up in Castleknock to just having the craic.
"He talked about his friend Emma a lot and how she was inspirational. When we crossed the finish line, he said it was an amazing experience that he would never forget. And I won't either."
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Colin said it was an experience he will never forget DET GARDA ERNIE FRAZER dublin
CAPTION(S):
close escort Garda shield Colin Farrell on race day
INSPIRATIONAL Colin pushes Emma Fogarty
IN THEIR STRIDE Gardai with their famous escort
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| Author: | LOUISE WALSH |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Oct 30, 2024 |
| Words: | 741 |
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