Dermot O'Neill's wife, Patricia "Chickie" Maguire, has died at the age of 60.
The mother of seven passed away in the early hours of Monday at St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, just months after receiving a devastating stage four cancer diagnosis in January.
The Mrs Brown's Boys actor 74, who portrays Grandad in the popular BBC comedy, shared his grief with The Irish Sun, saying: "Chickie left us about half three in the morning. We are absolutely devastated.
"I am going to miss her so much."
Dermot O'Neill is known for his role as Grandad in the TV sitcom
|BBC
Ms Maguire had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital following her diagnosis.
The couple had travelled to Spain at the start of the year so that she could undergo hernia removal surgery, having decided against facing lengthy waiting lists in Ireland.
However, upon examination at the Spanish hospital, doctors discovered multiple tumours in her stomach and informed her they could not proceed with the planned operation.
In April, Ms Maguire told The Irish Sun: "If I hadn't gone abroad, I'd never have known I had stage four cancer."
Ms Maguire passed away in the early hours of Monday
|Spanish medical staff initially wanted to transfer her to another facility in the country, warning she might not see her children for some time.
Ms Maguire insisted on returning home to Ireland, telling doctors she feared she would otherwise never see her children again.
One of the most difficult moments came when she had to break the news to her sons, Salvador, 39, and Evan, 24, from her hospital bed at Beaumont.
"Dermot put his hand on my knee, and both boys held each of my hands, and we all hugged and cried," she recalled.
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Patricia Maguire and Dermot O'Neill dated for 20 years before they got married in 2012
|Ms Maguire had spoken movingly about her hopes for the future, revealing her wish to celebrate one more Christmas with her family.
"I've a little granddaughter, Ellie, who is three, and my dream is to make it to Christmas Day and give her a kiss, so she can remember that kiss," she said.
Until shortly before her death, Ms Maguire had worked on the tills at Dunnes Stores in Portmarnock, where she had helped establish the branch's click-and-collect service alongside colleagues.
Her employers received praise from the couple for their support throughout her illness.
Fans of the actor were quick to take to social media upon hearing the sad news, to share their condolences.
"Very sad. Condolences to Dermot O'Neill and family," one person wrote, as another penned: "Terrifying. Going to hospital for a routine procedure and coming out with that diagnosis! RIP."
A third penned: "I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady last year in Spain … she was absolutely lovely and great fun! Sending love to all her family R.I.P."
Someone else added: "Mr O'Neill, you have my condolences." (sic)
Dermot O'Neill on the set of Mrs Brown's Boys
|Dermot O'Neill
Ms Maguire had previously cared for Mr O'Neill during his own battle with cancer, which was detected in 2019 when he found a lump in his throat while performing Mrs Brown's Boys D'Musical at London's O2.
In April 2020, as the first Covid lockdowns were being introduced, doctors gave him the all-clear.
Speaking at the time, Mr O'Neill said the news felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.