[1] Mullen was in her mid thirties when she was confined to a wheelchair following complications resulting from an epidural.
She started attending the Clontarf day centre of the Irish Wheelchair Association in the mid 1980s, where she was introduced to lawn bowls, for which she proved to have a natural aptitude.
She took part in the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1986 and 1987, winning bronze in the singles and doubles events.
Mullen travelled to Korea against the advice of her doctors, but supported by her family and medical supervision provided by the Paralympic Council of Ireland.
Mullen spent a lot of time in bed during the games, only leaving to compete.