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Colin Farrell left fans in tears after completing the Dublin marathon while pushing his friend Emma Fogarty in a wheelchair.

The 48-year-old actor was one of the 20,000 runners to compete in the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday morning.

The actor ran for the Debra Ireland, a charity that supports people who suffer from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which is also known as butterfly skin.

For the last four kilometres of the race, Colin was joined by his close friend Emma, 40, who is the longest-surviving person in Ireland with the rare genetic skin condition.

The last four kilometres represented the four decades Emma has lived with the condition, and the pair were both emotional as they crossed the finishing line of the competition.

Fans watching the pair were also overwhelmed by the inspiring display and many praised the actor and donated to the charity after seeing the pair at the race.

The pair hugged after the race (Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire)

Actor Colin Farrell with his close friend Emma Fogarty, running in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in Dublin
The pair finished the marathon with smiles on their faces (Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire)

Colin Farrell running with close friend Emma Fogarty who is the longest living survivor of Epidermolysis bullosa.
Emma and Colin have been close for many years (Picture: AP)

Colin and Emma were both emotional after completing the race, both emphasising the importance of the charity in statements made after the race.

Colin said in a statement after completing the run: ‘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 four kilometres to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.’

On Debra Ireland’s charity Instagram page, Emma said: ‘As many of you know, the reason I’ve done this is because I’ve hit the big 4-0 this year, and I wanted to mark it in a huge way. But, it’s you – the public – that’s made it even bigger and more special than ever.’

She added: ‘Thank you all for your amazing support and donations – in every way. We’re hoping to reach €1 million (£833,275.00). Please go to Debra.ie to donate.’

Colin Farrell running in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in Dublin
The actor ran the first 38km on his own (Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire)

Colin Farrell at the start of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in Dublin
The actor was one of the many people taking part in the competition (Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire)

Colin Farrell as The Penguin in The Penguin
The actor has totally transformed in the series The Penguin (Picture: HBO/ Warner Bros)

Colin has received a huge amount of praise recently for his performance in The Penguin which has been hailed as the best thing that DC has done for a long while.

 recently spoke to Colin about bringing the role back to life in the new series and commented on the similarities between Colin’s Oz and James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano from The Sopranos.

‘I’ve only seen two episodes of The Sopranos. But I know, well, I know from those two episodes, I know from Gandolfini’s work and a slew of films through the years – James Gandolfini’s work, that’s fine. That’s totally fine.

‘I mean, God, I’ve been compared to worse in my time,’ he said graciously.

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