Laois woman wins Liveline Moment of the Year

THE magnificent moment when Laois woman Emma Fogarty and Hollywood star Colin Farrell crossed the finish line at the Dublin Marathon has been voted Moment of the Year 2024 by listeners to RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline show.

Presenter Joe Duffy's large audience voted overwhelmingly for the Abbeyleix woman and close friend Colin, who memorably wheeled her over the finish line in October.

Their joint triumph has raised nearly €1 million for the Debra Ireland charity to support people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or butterfly skin, the excruciatingly painful condition that Emma has endured all her life.

After the duo’s marathon effort was shortlisted among the national Liveline Top Ten inspirational moments of 2024, listeners came forward in their thousands to support Emma and Colin during a public vote on 18 December. The fund reached almost €920,000 by 20 December.

The courageous pair captured the hearts of the nation during the daunting marathon challenge, following a memorable appearance on the Late Late Show the previous Friday night.

The Hollywood A-lister was among 22,500 athletes who battled through the pain barrier to finish the 42km run in a time of 4:06:45. But the 48-year old said his crowning achievement was running with his extraordinary friend, who is the longest-surviving Irish woman with EB.

Their ‘Run to 40’ campaign was in honour of Emma’s 40th birthday last June, which she was determined to celebrate in dramatic fashion because those with her severe form of EB rarely live beyond 35.

The friends travelled the final four kilometres together, one for every decade that Emma has defied medical predictions and survived.

Colin declared: “I have known Emma for many years and she epitomises bravery. She is what courage and pure determination are all about. That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it.

“It was an honour to see her waiting for me with 4km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.” 

Describing the experience as a miracle, Emma said: “This was a dream come true for me. I want to thank Colin, who has been the most supportive, generous and loyal friend I could wish for. He has always shown his compassion and empathy for people living with EB and is a true champion in my eyes. 

"Running a marathon is never easy but once he committed to it there was no going back. He is a man of his word.” 

Funds raised during the ‘Run to 40’ campaign will be used for pioneering research that could transform the future for everyone with EB in Ireland.   Donations can be made on the Debra Ireland ‘runto40’ online page or phone 01 9023938.

Other moments on the Liveline shortlist included Cillian Murphy's Oscar win, the Team Ireland Olympic squad and Taylor Swift mania in Ireland.