Gardai have paid tribute to Paul Mescal's mum as she has retireed after decades of service.
Dearbhla Mescal has worked as a member of An Garda Siochana for over 30 years. Dearbhla, 54, was bid a warm farewell by her colleagues at the Leixlip Garda Station.
A message on the garda Twitter page read: "Garda Dearbhla Mescal is retiring from duty at Leixlip Garda Station after over three decades #KeepingPeopleSafe. Thank you for all your years of dedicated service, Garda!"
Read more: Join Dublin Live's WhatsApp community for breaking news and top stories
Speaking about her time in An Garda Siochana, Dearbhla said it was "my honour to serve, to have worked with the members I did throughout my career". She shared pictures of her at her graduation from three decades ago with the caption: "My life has another change today … I retire from An Garda Síochána after 30yrs.
"I was 20 when I joined and I retire at 54… a whole lifetime. It has been my honour to serve, to have worked with the members I did throughout my career.
"I think to be of service was the joy of my working life. I am all too aware that there is very little thanks for the work done by members on each shift they put in. I hope they know the job they do, matters. It matters to their colleagues and the communities they serve.
"I wish for them and those they hold dear the very best in the future. As for me? Well, maybe IT TRULY IS my time. Time for healing, for adventures, for living."
She added: "This moment in my life reminds me of a section of Walk Slowly by the poet Danna Faulds …. ‘and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race; that we will all cross the finish line; that waking up to life is what we were born for.
"'As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward without even knowing where I’m going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the mystery’. Life…I am ready."
Dearbhla is battling a type of bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma after she was diagnosed with the disease last July. She said she is due for an MRI soon.
Dearbhla added that her blood tests came back with "really good numbers". Speaking to her followers, she said: "I’m home and feeling less anxious. I know we will get to the root of it, which is really good. I've made my sandwich, I’ve lit the fire, I can see my roses and my birds and my tree and this is me."
Read next:
Motorists face higher prices at petrol pumps as excise cuts reversed
Devastated Andrew McGinley among parents critical of new homicide study that includes murder-suicide
Marlay Park concert revellers urged to plan ahead in warning from organisers
Made in Darndale Festival 'showcased bonds which tie community together'
Man kicked while he's down by gang in Temple Bar as tourists flooded past
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
