A woman who lives with a crippling skin disease is backing her close friend and actor Colin Farrell to win an Oscar for best actor after receiving an Academy Award nomination yesterday.
Emma Fogarty, 38, from Abbeyleix, Co Laois who was born with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as Butterfly Skin, which causes her skin and internal body linings to blister, believes Farrell will win an Oscar for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.
The Laois woman has been Farrell's guest at a number of his movie premieres, with the most recent being the Irish debut of The Banshees of Inisherin at The Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin last October.
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She believes Farrell is now a big favourite to clinch the Academy Award in March after recently winning a Golden Globe for best actor for his role in the movie.
“I could not, not, not be more proud of Colin Farrell. This man is jaw-droppingly gifted. And more importantly, a wonderful friend,” Ms Farrell said.
“I loved the film. When I hugged and congratulated (him) after the Irish premiere I had a premonition that many awards were about to come his way.
“Now, I believe a truly well-deserved Oscar is coming home to one of the greats of Irish Film and Drama.”
Ms Fogart, is a patient ambassador for the nonprofit organisation DEBRA Ireland. Nearly 80% of her body is covered in open wounds, which require fresh bandages every two days to prevent infection.
Farrell was at Ms Fogarty's side when she appeared on RTE's The Late Late Show in December 2018 as she revealed that her life is a constant battle against pain caused by the disease while raising funds for DEBRA Ireland.
While, in June 2020, Farrell completed a gruelling 36km bike ride from his home in the US to support her efforts to raise much-needed funds for DEBRA Ireland.
Ms Fogarty completed the same distance in her wheelchair along the roads of Abbeyleix, with the help of an assistant.
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