Players win over €4.5 million with Lotto jackpot

IT WAS a bumper day for Lotto players across the country as they claimed over €4.5 million this Thursday 

A Dublin syndicate left Lotto HQ with the biggest cheque of the day after claiming their €3,931,066 jackpot amount which they won on Saturday night after purchasing their ticket at Pinewood Stores in Balbriggan. 

The syndicate manager admitted that each of the members had a whirlwind of emotions when they heard the news.

“I was watching the draw live so I realised that we had the winning ticket on Saturday night. When it came to calling everyone else to tell them, I got a real mix of reactions from them all. I’m not sure if they all believed me immediately but once they all saw the ticket and the results side by side for themselves, the celebrations started. We couldn’t wait to get into the Winners’ Room and hand the ticket in to be honest. The pressure of keeping it safe! For the last few days, I’ve had the ticket hidden in a book I was reading tucked away in the dresser beside my bed. I didn’t want to let it out of my sight,” they said. 

“Now that we have our cheque, the plan now is to take our time and really let the news sink in. It’s been a proper life-changing week and I’m not sure this even feels real yet to be honest. The next thing we’ll definitely do is have a little celebration together.” 

A family of four in Co Galway also claimed a substantial prize of €500,000 after scooping the EuroMillions Plus top prize in the 4th July draw.

The  family, who wish to keep their win private, purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at McGreal’s Mace in Ballybrit, Co Galway.  

The head of the syndicate recounted the moment she bought the ticket and how she found out later that night they had become half a million euro richer: “I headed down to McGreal’s to pick up some milk and pork chops for the dinner. I had a bit of change left over so said I’d buy a EuroMillions Plus ticket. I was over at a friend's house later who checked the ticket for me and my legs nearly went weak when they told me the ticket was worth €500,000! I started ringing around family members to tell them the good news and none of them believed me at first.

"I’ve a reputation as a bit of a prankster you see. We all gathered together in the house later that night to celebrate and we were dancing up on the tables and singing songs – it was night I’ll never forget!,” she said.  

The family syndicate have no immediate plans to spend their newfound fortune but said a family holiday is definitely on the cards for next year.  

A Roscommon woman got her month off to a winning start and claimed €135,820 after matching five numbers and the bonus in the 1st July Lotto draw.  

“I don’t even know what came over me that night to even play the Lotto. I wouldn’t be a regular player at all and can’t even remember the last time I played. I happened to be in the shop and just said to myself sure I might as well buy a ticket – thank goodness I did!”