Edel Dugdale

Speaker 1 So then when the when when she was coming with the baby like and the coffin is on her lap like this little white box we got I'm. Speaker 2 Actually gonna get really. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But like. Speaker 3 I'm Roisin Greene from RG Fitness and Pilates, a high end fitness studio in Trim County Mead. Speaker 2 And I'm Andy Walsh. From travel counsellors creating dream honeymoons to family adventures and once in a lifetime getaways. Speaker 3 And together we are. Speaker 2 Women who mean business. Speaker 3 This week we talked to Trims very own Edele Dugdale. She shares her journey from working in the HC to joining the Guards, highlighting the variety and challenges of her role there. She emphasises the importance of community involvement and shares some personal stories of resilience. Speaker 2 Inspired by her. Speaker 1 Family enjoy. Speaker 3 OK, this week we have the lovely Adele Dugdale from Tramadol. Would you like to tell our listeners a little bit about yourself, please? Speaker 1 Thanks for having me. And so obviously, my name is Adele Dugdale. Yeah. And. Speaker 3 It's a good start. Speaker 1 Community Garage here in Trim for the past 17 years. Wow. So I'm a lesbian woman living in Mead. Yeah, married to a meat man and love life here. Speaker 3 Ohh, that's fantastic 17. Speaker 1 Years, 17 years. Wow. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I worked for the NHS before I joined the job, so I worked there for about 10 years and so I did Money Garden Dublin and then the embargo come in with the HSC, it's time and there was no promotions and I said I don't know for this now. I said I need to just try something. Speaker 3 Different. Speaker 1 Yeah, the itch was kind of at me. Wow. So I applied for the guards in the prison service and I said sure, whichever one comes in first, yeah, I'll just pick one. Yeah. Ohh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. One day. Yeah, yeah. Speaker 3 So what made you pick then? Speaker 1 I think it was just the fact that there was more variety in the guards and people had said to me, if you're working in the prison service, you're, you're kind of essentially A prisoner within the walls yourself sometimes, you know? Speaker 3 It's hard, monotonous, do you think? Speaker 1 Yeah, but like, look at, I've spoken to lots of prison officers and they've said like, there's great, like, like the great rewards for it. Yeah. Because she can see so many people change. Yeah, Yeah. But it's just the same building, the same thing all time. Whereas with the girl, you're out and about, you're seeing different things, meeting different people of different varieties, different walks of life. So I just said, you know what? Go for. Speaker 2 It and how did you find like at the start like you know your training and then like the early days in in the force like how did you. Speaker 1 Like I was a little bit older. Yeah, I was nearly like ancient, like, compared to what was down there. Okay, it was fresh out with College in their 20s. Speaker 2 Early 20s, that kind of. Speaker 1 Thing I am so wow I felt so much older okay and like physically it doesn't really matter because when you're down there yeah there's really nothing else to do bar get fit so like your fitness level just. Speaker 3 Gonna say what was the application process like then going into it? You know, because I know my son went to go into the guards when he left school. Yeah, he got all the way, all the way all the way to the very last stage and they failed him on his eyesight. Speaker 1 Yeah. Speaker 3 Yeah, just one. One wasn't one. I was. Speaker 2 Strong enough, you know. Speaker 1 Yeah, no looking. It's grand. You do aptitude tests and you go off, then you do like there's interviews, there's medical, then there's physicals and then you're in like, so there it is a long process. Speaker 3 It's a physical part of a heart, would you say? Speaker 1 No, like it can be it depends on who you are. Like there's no, there's no point me saying it's it's it's it's really easy. Yeah, it was easy for me, but it might be easy for you and you. Yeah, it just depends. And look, your nerves can take over and things like that as well. And you're especially if you really want it and people are years trying to get into. Yeah, really want it. And like that the right site might not be correct. You know, there might want to lose a bit of weight. They're like the height has gone now, so that doesn't overly matter. Yeah, yeah, yeah. There's a lot of things that so, like, easy for me to say, yeah. Speaker 2 Well, I like, I know my partner who passed away. He had tried for vote and he had tried for the guards and he got rejected and he got rejected and he got rejected. And then like that he was like, well, why? You never know. You see, really sure you don't. There's not always a reason. Speaker 1 Maybe at the time they might not have needed all the numbers that were applying. Yeah. So they might have, because the numbers probably when he was doing it, Brian. Yeah, yeah, He was probably in smaller groups. So they might have only been taken 50 or 60. Where's my group 300 and something in it? Yeah. Speaker 2 So like, so he went to the prison service then and got in straight away, like, you know, but like what you were saying about the when while they're in prison, the officers are in prison. Yeah. And I can see that because I remember the way his days would be. Like, you're in there and you're in there. Yeah. Till you go home that night. Like, so it's 12 hours in the same place. Yeah. Like so. Yeah. Mentally, yeah. And then like so you obviously passed flying colours and you get your placement then and where we sent. So I was sent to Donnybrook, OK. And literally the last you know where it was. Speaker 1 No, I did punishing right? Like you know what I mean? In terms of Dublin, I was probably like it's probably not the worst station to go. Speaker 2 To no. Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah. But I had only come out Dublin in the HSC and I was like, I I like that. I was in my late 20s and I was like, I really want to settle down now. I want to buy a house. Yeah, of course. I wanna just put my roots into somewhere. Yeah. Dakota sent me to the Aran Islands or actual island. I wouldn't have cared. But back to Dublin. I was like, ohh, yeah, no, like, yeah, house prices, like everything. Like I was like, I'm never going to my. But anyway, look, what will be will be always like what's for you won't pass. Your somebody's drawing me there. Whatever. Yeah, Salome, behold, the last day in Templemore. We were all about to just leave about our day and I got a call out and said actually, there's been a move, you're actually going to trim. And I was like, did you say Chew? I thought he said, God, I was going to go. I was like great going like, you know where it is and I was like. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 Yeah, he said meet meat and he was like yeah. And I was like ohh yeah, okay. Like it's 20 minutes door to door. Like I'm very lucky. Like yeah, yeah like I can't complain. Yeah, like I lived at home at the time, so I was like my commute wasn't. Speaker 2 That's amazing. Speaker 1 Like some people are driving 2 hours like an hour and a half, like it's ridiculous. Speaker 2 Like yeah, like definitely. And like so, you came then to your, you got your position and your position I presume has changed over the. Speaker 1 Years likely I would have started on the regular yeah out in the car whatever call came in. You have to deal with, um, very little women in the job when I first started there there was only two other women in the whole station. Wow. So you learn to kind of the boys really took you under their wing. Like, and when they say it's family orientated, it really is family because we called them work wise and work husbands because you're with them all the time. Yeah. Like, like we at the time, like you could be like 12 hour shifts. Yeah, like five days a week. Like that's it. And you know, you know everything about them. You know about their family, your meeting their partners, meeting their families. Like it's lovely. Yeah. It's. Speaker 2 Really like emotionally, like how did you kind of get around dealing with the situations that you were seeing? Because obviously you're quite green with what's happening out there, as we probably all are. And we probably think the worst, but it's probably not even near as bad as we think it is. Speaker 1 Yeah, look at you just have to kind of rely on who's with you. So like, you've seen your members with you and they're there for a reason, like, and if they said you look, maybe don't go into this house, really, just maybe don't go in. Do you know what I mean? As a junior member, Like if you're going to have to see everything eventually and you see the worst of the worst, but you also have to have great stuff. So like, it's like you can you can be in a family that's at their worst that are that are after having an awful loss. Yeah. And you have to leave that call. Speaker 2 And go to. Speaker 1 Another to another call that could be a tractor run and be happy happy. Speaker 2 Yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 So you're really swiping your emotions. Speaker 2 Quickly like and I know you, you were hugely involved in was it fail econ during lockdown, You want to tell us a little bit about that? Speaker 1 Like, yes, so that came doing a checkpoint on the Dublin Rd. and talk about putting the size 6 feet into a situation. Like I wanted the ground to swallow me up. Like you're trying to engage with people. You've been asked to go out there, the government have been asked you to tell, you know, you can't go more than 5 kilometres. Yeah, whatever. So you're engaged, but lovely people. Yeah, decent people that going to work or going to get supplies or whatever and this car pulled up and I was talking to the man. I was like, ohh, well where are you off today so I can go up to my daughters. And I was like, ohh, like should your daughter not be coming up to visit you kind of thing? And he was like, ohh, she lost the baby. And I was like, Oh my And they said, look, we're obviously going down now and we're going to be passing back up and we're going to the church like, and I said, well, look at I'll make sure that this road nobody stops here in the car, whatever. So it was just on Gillian's outside the on the Dublin Rd. at the roundabout just outside. Okay, so I was like, I left the other two guards that were standing there, ran down to the petrol station, got a bunch of flowers, ran the whole way back up again. I was like, I just feel so bad. Handed the flowers in the window when the father had come back up. Yeah. So then they were on. So then when when, when she was coming with the baby, like, and the coffin is on her lap like this little white box like, Oh my God, I'm actually. Speaker 2 Going to get really. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 Like, like, it's really hard to take. Yeah. You're not going out that day to thinking this is what's going to face. Yeah, Yeah. And like 99.9% of people are really good to guards like and they really understand when we have a job to do, we have a job to do and we're human at the end of the day, like. Speaker 2 And you have it here. Speaker 1 At heart and we have like. But we have families, yeah. We have Lisa's nephews. We have, Yeah. Like friends have babies, like, so they were coming past and look at the guards that were with us. We just stood still. It's all we could do. Like just make sure no traffic kind of for anybody was engaged in any conversation to just let them go by. But that vision never really left me. Yeah. So what's the year kind of went on. I was thinking like, what could I do or what can you do or should you do anything like because it's a very private and personal thing for this family. Yeah, they don't necessarily require me to blast it all over social media. So I said, look, I'll try and do a fundraiser and do it for Falcon because that's the charity that I, I didn't have any knowledge of it. Yeah, because I've never, I've lucky enough, never been in that position. So they're the charity that come in if, if, if this has happened to you and you know, they, they guide you into what the process is and what needs to be done and take your little memories and your snaps and what needs to be. So I decided to do it for them and it just blew up. Like, yeah, like like I raised, I think it was nearly €30,000 for the charity. He did it excited. I did a cycle and like I actually when I look back at. Speaker 3 That. Speaker 2 Now I actually wore your best. Speaker 1 But I I went in full uniform, like belt, everything, just to make a little bit more difficult. Recycled 99 kilometres 9 villages so it made it the 999. Yeah that's amazing you know what I mean so give us something yeah, I know but actually I made everybody else too yeah. Was like Ron 5 kilometres with me at each station yeah, I was on a bike I was really happy out where they were all like in the sweltering day the dead he killed nearly gone go you tell you're driving. But the fire service the ambulance and ourselves did it Wow. And it was a lovely unity. And then obviously that that lovely family then gave their permission to to tell their story and to raise awareness for for Phil, for Falcon and the sudden death of the babies. Like, yeah. Speaker 2 But it really shows though, like, you know, you're now a community officer, like is that, is that your toilet like? Speaker 1 Basically nearly from. Speaker 2 That from that, yeah, Yeah. Because there you couldn't be more part of the community. Speaker 1 But I've never. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 I I say this everywhere I go, I'll never not be Edel, the community guard only because of trim community. And I mean, I don't mean trim though, as in just trim like I like trim is believe. Speaker 2 Around and yeah. Speaker 1 It's just trim is in our garden station. Yeah. So what we cover? Yeah, I'll never not be able to do anything that I've ever said. It's always like, yeah, no problem. You go down the town, look for. Yeah, no problem. Yeah. Would somebody run? Yeah, no problem. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 It's like a nice think people are going to start like not locking eyes with me anymore because they want to just avoid me like. Speaker 2 Yeah, yeah, it was gonna ask them to run up a mountain there. Speaker 1 But they're like, why didn't you ask me? I'd have loved to have helped. Or this is all I got after us like. Speaker 2 That's amazing, though. Like, you know, and yeah. Speaker 3 And it was the real start of your work in the community. Speaker 1 Wasn't. Yeah, yeah. No, I was probably doing it as is every guard around the country. You know, I mean I'm no different or any special than annual regardless doing this. Speaker 2 Well, we think different. Yeah, very much. Speaker 1 Yeah, actually, don't do it for the likes because you're in the wrong job if that's what you do. You know what I mean? You're doing it so you can either one, educate somebody in relation to something, gain a better understanding and knowledge for yourself or sure, support yeah. And get, get, get a point or get something out over over the line and get it out there like so that's why you do it like. Speaker 3 Has there been any other events that you've done, like community work apart from that one that really stands out in your mind? Speaker 1 Well, it was outside of work, so it was getting to go to Ukraine with humanitarian. Ohh yeah. And I've done four or five trips over. Yeah. And I loved it. Like, yeah, like, look, when I get too political and too kind of like. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 Ohh, like it can be a very sensitive subject. And look, I'm aware that there's a war on both sides and people are suffering on both sides, but the opportunity just came to me to to see where I go to Ukraine and Oh my Like, and again, probably I got it because of who I am in the community. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Like lots of doors open up. Speaker 2 Yeah, but the only open up though as well though, if you're if you're putting your foot forward, putting your, your, your, your face out there and be open. Yeah, I'm sure there's lots of lads and and women in the force that you know, are happy to, you know, just do their nine to five routine and and not necessarily do extras. You seem to do an awful lot of extra. Speaker 1 But I live here. Yeah. Big Bad helps. Like, you actually live in this community. Yeah. So if it will benefit the community, it's ultimately going to benefit me. Yeah. So like I I couldn't turn my back. Speaker 2 Not. Speaker 1 On on an area when I go, well, I have to live here anyway, Yeah, you know what I mean. Like, and I've always said to myself, and this is actually from my mum and my dad, like they've always instilled in us, like my mom was a psych nurse and my dad worked in the mines. Like, but they always said if somebody needs your help, they're asking you for a reason. So please don't ever turn your back on somebody. If they act, no matter if you're busy or you think you can't give them the answer, at least hear them out. Yeah. So I always bring that into my work. Speaker 2 And is quite unusual though, isn't it, for you to be placed in amongst your own community where you live? Ohh. Speaker 1 Well, I. Speaker 2 Really. I know you're W Mead. Speaker 1 Yes. So trim, yeah, yeah. Speaker 2 Trim would be, I suppose someone that doesn't know, you know would seem like it's a million miles. Yeah, it's. Speaker 1 Pretty over the. Speaker 2 Border and we know that, yeah, but it you are quite close to where you're from, which is is kind of unusual. Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't tell anybody next week Monday that's. Speaker 3 Your fault. That was just going to be my next question. Can you be moved or once you're settled somewhere? Speaker 1 Once you're settled, yeah, unless you physically put in a transfer, look for a move or. Speaker 2 We can't get rid of. Speaker 1 Her No, Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, yeah. Speaker 2 We're not getting, really. Speaker 1 If we were in a station, in station. That's good though. Yeah, Yeah, that's great. And what? Speaker 2 Advice would you give women like out there that cause I, I think the numbers are still probably on the lower end. Are they with the women? Like you're getting better. They're like, yeah. Speaker 1 We're getting up there and like management now is a lot more women than it. It's great. Like, so look, I wouldn't even say for women joining, for man or woman that wants to join it, join it. Yeah. Because it's it's a job that offers so much variety. Yeah, you will never see two days. Speaker 2 Alike. Speaker 1 Yeah, you'll never, you never know what's when that phone rings. That could be anything. Yeah, absolutely anything like. And the adrenaline you can get from like when you could be just tucking into your. Speaker 3 Dinner to say, having a coffee and then. Speaker 1 Sit down and ring, ring and you're like, where are we going? Yeah. And it's just all guns blazing and they're like, yeah, because ultimately we have jobs to do. But ultimately we know there's somebody behind it that's either house have to be broken into somebody's after having the sudden death or light help or just need help like or mental health. Yeah, they're they're under the influence of drink and drugs. But there's somebody's on, there's somebody's dog. We just don't know what you're going to meet. Speaker 2 Like I know the lads that works like because obviously I'm still friends with a lot of the prison officers and they always described it and branded as A and minutes of madness like, and moments of like kind of, you know, that's the way they always described it like that, you know, you could be doing nothing for hours and. Speaker 1 Then it is yeah, like we live in a lovely area here like this district like in like a lot of the stuff like crime wise is down. Thank God, Touchwood, like, um, yeah, when it goes wrong, it can go yeah, it's just all go and everybody just rallies around. Yeah, that's the joy of like that goes back to that family aspect, like, yeah, because if you're working with somebody for so long and then you turn around and be like, well, they're going to that call by themselves or just two of them, Yeah, you're not really there for the right reasons. And nobody would ever leave any man or woman behind. Like, so it's like that. If they're going, we're all going and that's it. Speaker 3 And then you must have, you must have a really good support network. Well, obviously at home you would have support, but in the job, because I'm sure you, you have you're faced with really challenging circumstances. Like at the best of times, like you said, you could be doing a tractor run one day or you could be facing a car crash the next day. Which means to you really need a good support system around you to help you deal. Speaker 1 With that, yeah. And like it is true, like, and we come back, we'll have the cup of tea in the chat and the chat and just see if everybody's OK and like there's services there. They're probably working there 20 years. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? The job has come on a lot like yeah, for the better. Yeah. So like them services are there and it's up to you to use them. Do you know what I mean? Like, it's okay, it's okay. It's not for everybody. Yeah, do you know? And that's all right, but like if it is getting you down or there is something wrong, you when you're in the car with somebody for 10 hours, you can't not have them. Conversation, of course, could because you're so used to somebody. Like I know if you were getting upset or something, or something was troubling and worrying you because you just know their mannerisms. You know how to work. So if it's a case, you just go out, you grab the coffee, go for a long drive and just let it out. Speaker 3 And you are obviously a big inspiration to lots of people, but what I would like to know is who inspires you? Speaker 1 Um, I would say my mom like, yeah. And we've spoke about this before. Like I know with Mandy and the network, but like like what? She has given us as like there's there's five of us in our house growing up and my mom and my dad worked but like we never not wanted for anything. Even though we never had holidays abroad or we never got anything fancy but food was on the table, clothes on our backs. Fun was always had in our house. Speaker 3 Like it was love in your. Speaker 1 House would fall in love. Yeah, you know what I mean? And then, like, my mom took a career break because that's what women did back then and raised the children. And then she became the local post lady just to give herself a job at the time, but like watching her as a psychiatric nurse and again, going back to the knowledge and like education, sorry that she gave us. Like in terms of they're not people would have mental health. Like they are people people and they have a story and they have a family and you treat them with the same respect that you would want to be treated with. So like. Speaker 3 They're really good values. Tavern. Speaker 1 But they're like, and they're simple, like really like anybody can just have just a couple of little things that she always like. She I remember like where you going with that jacket or where are you going with that? She used to go off to pennies and buy stuff for them because so much she might have had family coming in at the time. And yeah, like she would say like, again, years ago, like maybe not everybody should have belonged in the institutions as they would have called them back, but there was their units. Speaker 2 Like but but yeah, it was. Speaker 1 Didn't know where to. Speaker 2 Go yeah, And it was probably the only option on offer for some people at the time, like space for them, but she could see that maybe they didn't need to be there. Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah. And just gave them the extra little bits like so. But she come home and talk to, you know, like, not about a patient, but she'd say like, you know, like we need to respect people and we need to, you know, treat them with kindness and so like. Speaker 3 And it's just the basic of the basic basics like people, but it's it's means like a weekend. It's just a small thing to give someone, but the person receiving it could mean so much to. Speaker 1 Them Yeah. And like she, she retired then and then that should have been her time to live her life. You know, she'd all of us reared, all of us in government jobs, great jobs, like, you know what I mean? And all flew the nest. And then my poor brother then committed suicide just before COVID. And then yes or no, That's fine. Yeah. So she found them. And like so. But like, he was living with his own troubles like that we would have had with him growing up all her life. You know what I mean? And like she, she battled that and faced that and got through that and with dad, and then then dad got a brain tumour last year and only lasted 5 weeks and she battled through that and now she's like, she's out of her hair. And it's not like, not fair. Like she's never had a chance. So that's why she's my cause she just keeps going. Yeah. Even though she's in between knowing her memory is going and not going, she's still, yeah. Tries so hard. Speaker 2 Everything must be so proud though. Is she like of of yall like? Speaker 1 Ohh, she is like yeah, no, she's like she's just the best. Like she's really is simply just and every mum's brilliant. Like yeah, I might, I I'd fight for my mum tooth and nail to say my definitely better than yours because she's just brilliant. Like I just think she's just how she keeps going after everything. I just if I could be 10% to. Speaker 2 Heart. I think you're every percent of her. Without a doubt, you are. Yeah. Your mother's daughter. Yeah. And. Speaker 1 Yeah, and we look alike. Yeah, she's red hair. Speaker 3 And come here, what's next for you then like I'm sure you've, if you're anything like me anyway, you're always like on the what's the next thing? What's the next thing, what's the next thing? So have you any ideas for fundraisers or anything? Speaker 1 Yeah, no, I do like, yeah. So like I have a couple in the back of my mind that I kind of want to get. Speaker 3 Out around some of buying me there though. Yeah, definitely need to. Speaker 1 Finish that one off you. Speaker 3 Have sent yeah, but. Speaker 1 It's time. You have to have the time. Yeah, yeah, and yeah, and, and, and, and life is about time and like, and having the right things in place for the right reasons. Like I don't like doing something if I don't think I'm going to be able to get 100% back for if I'm for a charity. Speaker 3 Or yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 So my biggest thing now at the moment is Rd. safety. I'm really mad to do so. I wanna do like with the T wise, the programme in court about mock court, mock trial. So for Ty. So that's my next and that's amazing. Keeping me busy, yeah. Speaker 2 Yeah. And you obviously have to put that through. Speaker 1 Ohh everything like every approved. Yeah, yeah yeah. And that takes time because, like, you don't wanna leave yourself. Speaker 2 Open. And I presume you'll start off with the schools here. Yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah. Because I think it's really important to be in the schools because the kids then have a better understanding that ohh, the cards actually not that bad. Do you know? Speaker 2 What? No, I think, I think they sometimes have a preconception of what a garage doors. Yeah. Whereas you, you, you show the other side of the garage. You know, it's not all about the bad stuff. There's good stuff there too. Speaker 1 Like I go into primaries and secondaries from like junior infants up to leave inserts. Yeah. So like you obviously again, like you're into juniors, your tone, your language is completely different to what you talk to into the order and in between years down. So I'm always trying to tell, like, especially the secondary school kids, like if you're stopped by a guard, just take a breath. Like, it's not that you're in trouble. Yeah. Like, if you start panicking, then we start worrying because now we're like, why are you panicking? You know what I mean? Yeah. There's two sides to it. So we're like, just answer the question. And yeah, they're just trying to build rapport to just see who you are, why you're out and about. Yeah. Can we help you with anything? You worried about anything? But if you go legging it up the road, yeah, we're going legging after you. Speaker 2 Actually recently there around Paddy's week was stopped and brutalised on our way home from work. OK, but she was so excited, like cause she was like, she's never had it done. No, you know, life is well, I'm, I, I'm a lot older than you and I've never had it done. So, you know, tell me. Speaker 1 You know, but she's jury duty, actually, yeah, some people are mad to do jury duty and never get picked. Yeah, I've never. And they're literally sitting in the court called pick me, pick me, and it's just a random selection of 12 people. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they said people are like ohh no. Speaker 2 I suppose, yeah. Cause you don't know what Keisha. Yeah, like that. Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 3 For sure. So if you could give them any advice to anyone, let's say we have with the Leaving Cert students coming up now, anyone that's haven't thinking about going down the road of want to get into the girls, what advice would you give or where do they start or? Speaker 1 Yeah, like I personally would say go and do college first, okay? Live a little bit of your life first because shift work is really hard on the body and like some people, yeah, look at get in, get it done, get 30 years and. But like you have to go and work till you're 55 yeah anyway. So like, why not give yourself the couple of years experience of like of life and living and making your. Speaker 2 Mistake and a work environment as well. Speaker 1 New people and making mistakes and kind of like just being, being your age like instead of settling into a really tough job. Speaker 2 That from. Speaker 1 Mentally and physically draining from day one like you know so do that and then if it is still something that you really are passionate because you could also be a gardener reserve on a weekend and that gives you an insight. Okay, yeah, into you get the uniform, you get everything, but you just shadow really and you're just out and about and that's brilliant. Yeah and like we've had empty and then they went on to be guards because they said you know what? Yeah, definitely is. Speaker 3 For us they were. Speaker 1 Gonna stick with my college course. Yeah, I mean, it's great. And the kitchen is it allows you to dip your toe in without completely committing to it. But like anybody can be a guard. There's no one shoe fits all. So like whether what your background is, your race, your nationality, your religion, sexual orientation doesn't all left. Speaker 2 It way, way, way more open now. I think when we were in school it was like you had to be 6 foot. Yeah, you know, you know. Speaker 1 That would be nearly. Speaker 2 The rules like you know, but what do you do for Edel Dugdale And not the guard, not the community officer, not the carer, like what do you do for you? Speaker 3 In the morning. Speaker 1 Yeah, I don't do a lot and it's my fault. I don't. Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm this isn't like a war with me kind of thing. And I'm so great, like, but I just feel at the moment I don't have the time. Yeah, like a lot of it was consumed, my brother Shane. Yeah. Then COVID came, then my dad got sick, and now my mom. Speaker 3 Yeah. So I haven't had. Speaker 1 A break. I haven't had that break, like, and I have serious guilt if I take a holiday, like, gonna take a week away from myself because I'm like, my brothers and sisters are at home and they work as well. Yeah. And then I'm like ohh. Speaker 2 Gosh, very bad. Speaker 1 What about my mum? And then I'm like, ohh, she needs me. And like, she's fine. Like, yeah, but I can't just get that little knot in my stomach. Like if I work my 3 earlies and then I go into 3 lates, I'll go over to Mammy's Yeah on my late and then come into work after. Yeah. So he doesn't really have a lot freedom. Speaker 2 We'd have to. Speaker 1 I have my doggy though. I have my poops. Ohh he's gorgeous. Speaker 2 Yeah, yeah, he's got 2 now is. Speaker 1 He 333 ready. He's administer golden doodle. Yeah. When I remember when he has been like your life, your life. Yeah, yeah, yeah. This ever happened? Speaker 2 Cooper yeah, I would say that we got the. Speaker 1 Weekend morning like I'd be like. Speaker 2 Yeah, yeah, We got our Toby the week before lockdown. So like he was walking us through lockdown. Yeah. It was really just having him. No, it's great. Like, yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 Look, I'm very lucky like like I, I never really talk about my husband because he is super, but he is amazing. I know he'll be listening and I and I don't appreciate him enough. Like before Coke, like before COVID, like an in and around COVID, like I had a complete breakdown, like an emotional and mental breakdown. Like and when I might have been lost, like I treated him so badly at the time. Like we were getting married and I called off the wedding. Wow. I just couldn't breathe. Like I just couldn't. It just felt like waves were crashing on me all the time. And every time I went to get back up again. And yeah, yeah, like work was mentally with everything, like everything. And then my, my, my brother and then trying to keep everything together. And like this, like I said earlier, like I don't need to be in everything. I just can't. I think I just can't help. But yeah, it's just in me to help and want to be there. Speaker 2 Like as I even met you just through I even don't even know How I Met you. Like I know I'm in trim. Yeah, so I know obvious from being in trim and I think we just we met a few things and we just connected and then I obviously looked after your honeymoon and yeah, that's how I. Speaker 1 Like, ohh, just in case you did get married, get married. Yeah, I did have a happily ever after. But yeah, I like, there's another like the utmost respect for that man and like, and that family like. Speaker 3 They were really going through it. Speaker 1 You wouldn't be. Speaker 3 On the outside looking in, he could see. Speaker 1 But I was like, you're all the problem, Like, and I'm Grant, like, and like, looking back on it now, like when I went to the doctors, like and like, I was in the patrol car, one of the lads had to bring me out. Like, I cried for two hours solid. Yeah. And at that stage, I knew this isn't right. Right. Yeah, You know what I mean. Speaker 2 And that's down to not having enough downtime. Speaker 1 As well, It's completely went to the doctor. I was so afraid to go to the doctor. Yeah. And I've no problem talking about this because I think it's really important. But I was like, I went to the GP and I was like, yeah, I have a mental health problem. And she was like, no, you don't. And I was like, ohh, no, I do. I said I'm after calling off my wedding. Who does that? I'm after self diagnosis. Yeah. Ohh yeah, you could hold me. So like it happened. So I was like all of this and I was like this can't be right. And I was like this has happened in my life. This happened. She was like Adele, your exhausted. Yeah, naturally burnout. Yeah. And that's all that's right. Yeah. She said you just need to breathe. Just take a breath, see what you can control your first, and then we'll deal with everything else. Speaker 3 And what was it like to hear that then? Because. Speaker 1 It was a. Speaker 3 Relief. Yeah, I was like. Speaker 1 Oh my God, here I go now I'm going to. Speaker 3 Be late. Where's the white boats? Yeah, take me. Speaker 1 Away. Yeah, yeah. And I was like, I was like, ohh, God, machine going into work now and telling them you have a mental health problem, like, and how are you going to like they won't allow me to drive. They won't allow me to this. They won't know that. And no, like they couldn't have been any nicer and better to me. Like, but like I don't mind. Like I was so embarrassed over it. I was like, ohh, God, I was like crying in the back of the patrol car. What are people going to think we like? Speaker 2 But they're not thinking that that's what's wrong. Yeah, that's. You're just, yeah, you're real. Got a heart of gold? Speaker 1 And like, I know, I feel. And when I feel, I really feel like. And if something like I like people think, especially when you're in the garden, like, ohh, yeah, must have like kahunas, like, like, yeah, must be ballsy, like a steal. And like, you have to be like, because of what you're seeing. And yeah, yeah, people's standing. Most of those which are shouting and spitting naturally, like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's the sort of like, I'll take that off somebody on the street all day long. Yeah. But somebody works as boot to me. I'm like, Oh my Not hurting their feelings. Gotta get so paradise like ohh wait what did I do there? Now they're. Speaker 2 Talking to Yeah. Speaker 1 But like, yeah, no, like I take I'm I'm probably soaking way too much then I should Yeah, but no, when the doctor told me lucky you just burnt out. I was like, okay, Grant, she was like, you just need to take some time off for yourself. You need to just say yes to. Speaker 3 Everything. I was just going to say, did you do a bit of work on yourself so it prevents that happening again? Yeah. Because you wouldn't want. Speaker 1 That to happen, No, and I know what it's like and feel I know if it's going to because like that like like I I was going down to SuperValu and people were stopped me and they were saying like, can I just ask you a question? Can I just ask you? And then I'd be like that be on my day off. And I'm not saying that's people have every right to ask. I I love when they ask. Speaker 2 Me what it is, you're it, it is your day off and you do need that time. Speaker 1 Yeah, what I'm doing, I've been rushing back and then I run up to the station trying to sort it for them. Yeah, you and then come back and try and get my home life. And then I was like, I can't do. I can't be everything to everybody. Yeah. So I had to just stop. So now if Mandy comes up to me and say finally got to know what will you give me a ring on Friday? Yeah, yeah, exactly. And I'll look after I'm back to work. Yeah. Like, yeah, no problem. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like, ohh, they're looking for this now, but yeah, help them like, because yeah, that's what I do. Yeah. But no, I don't need. Don't. Speaker 2 Need to do so good. Speaker 1 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 3 You put boundaries in place. Do yeah, you have to. It's important for you. And that's not you being bad and being a mean person or anything. That's you just looking after you. And like you said, yes, call me. I'll give you a ring on Friday. I'll ring or just remind me about that and I'll do that for you then. Speaker 1 Because if I don't look after me or you don't look after you, then we can't look. Speaker 2 After you can't be the best version of it, yeah. Speaker 1 Exactly. So that's what I do now. So yeah. So I'm like, it is. You feel awkward because you're like ohh God, they're gonna think like a bit rude, but no, people are like yes sounds. Speaker 3 Yeah, yeah, yeah. So she. Speaker 1 Never suits, yeah. Speaker 2 Yeah, ohh, that's. Speaker 1 Good. No panic. Speaker 3 Well, this has been the most loveliest. Speaker 2 Chat. Speaker 1 Therapy I actually like. I promised myself I was talking to one of the girls. I'm not. I am not crying. I'm going to keep this OHH professional now. Speaker 3 To be relaxed and, you know, just be yourself and just have the crack and. Speaker 2 Stuff. So we have a question. Well, Roshan does because I always mess up this question. Speaker 3 So yeah, would you like to tell our listeners something about yourself that nobody, nobody knows or they might be surprised to hear? Speaker 1 I've played county camogie for West Mead and I. Speaker 2 Knew she was going to actually say that. Speaker 3 Ohh I didn't know that. Speaker 1 Ohh yeah, yeah, 46. Will they tell people I'm 46? So usually like, you're not 46. Like as if I'm lying about my age. Yeah, yeah. Speaker 2 Well, I actually wouldn't have believed Trump. Speaker 3 Was same yeah 46 amazing yeah yeah yeah it's. Speaker 1 The trim Amazing. Speaker 2 Okay, yeah. Speaker 3 We look forward to it. Well, I know who was. Well, I'm sure we'll work with you again in the future and look forward to with a few things coming up down the line, but we'll talk about that. And yeah. Speaker 2 So thank you for lovely, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.