Gardaí Run Alongside Colin Farrell in Dublin Marathon for Charity

Four members of the Garda National Technical Bureau went the extra mile for Hollywood star Colin Farrell during the Irish Life Dublin Marathon last Sunday. Detective Gardaí Ian Redican, Barry Duggan, Ernie Frazer, and Detective Sergeant Tom Power swapped their uniforms for blue running vests to not only complete the marathon but also ensure Farrell’s safety during the charity run.

The four colleagues ran alongside Farrell, who raised almost €790,000 for Debra Ireland, an organization that supports individuals with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a painful and rare skin condition also known as ‘Butterfly Skin’.

A Special Bond and a Powerful Cause

Farrell pushed his close friend Emma Fogarty for the last four kilometers of the race, a kilometer for each decade she has lived with the debilitating condition. The actor’s dedication to this cause was evident in his heartfelt efforts alongside his friend.

Safety First: Gardaí Step in as Protectors

“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,” said Det Gda Redican, who provides training support for club members.

“Every year about 100 to 150 gardaí run in the Dublin city 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 time at this stage and Barry, Ernie and Tom all came on board quickly too.”

The Gardaí volunteered their time and energy, aware Farrell’s celebrity status could attract overly enthusiastic fans. “People’s hearts are in the right place, and I’m sure they wouldn’t wish to cause any disruption that might cause injury or anything, but Colin is such a huge 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,” Det Gda Redican said.

A Successful Run for a Worthy Cause

Det Gda Redican described Colin as a “genuine guy” and stated he acknowledged everyone who cheered him on throughout the race. “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.

“We are all seasoned runners so we knew the course. We just created a bubble for him to run and provided an escort for him. 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,” said Redican.

Farrell’s successful marathon run raised a significant amount of money for Debra Ireland, making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Want to find out more about Debra Ireland and how you can support their vital work? Visit their website at https://www.debraireland.org/