The €12.50 ticket was purchased on Saturday afternoon from Londis in The Faythe, Wexford and was successful in matching the winning numbers of 1, 9, 15, 23, 33 and 38. The store’s manager, Michael Hanrahan, received a phone call following the draw to inform him that his shop had sold the winning ticket: “When the guy (from the Lotto) rang me, I just didn’t believe him. I hung up on him and everything. I thought it was Saturday night and someone was playing a prank on me,” he explained to the Irish Independent. “It’s our first ever win. I didn’t think we’d ever have one to be honest, we never even thought about it.”
The name of the winning ticket holder is still unknown and Mr Hanrahan believes that is the way it will remain: “I know the lady who won the €7.9m jackpot, but understandably, she wants to remain anonymous,” he told the Irish Examiner. Quizzed on how he was so sure of the mystery winner’s identity, Mr Hanrahan explained that it was most unusual for his store to sell €12.50 in tickets, so that delivered him rather rapidly to his conclusion. Nevertheless, Mr Hanrahan seemed thrilled with the outcome: “She is absolutely delighted that she has won the top prize, and I am too because she is a lovely lady, as well as a lucky one.”
The winner has 90 days from the day of the draw to collect their winnings, but Mr Hanrahan believes it won’t be long until the victor comes forward to claim her prize, suggesting that the enormity of the situation may not have completely sunk in just yet. Meanwhile, the celebrations will no doubt be continuing at the lucky Londis as well-wishers visit the store to take photographs and offer their congratulations.
The Irish Lotto jackpot has now been reset to its base value, but is still estimated to be worth an incredible €2 million ahead of Wednesday evening’s draw. To be in with a chance of securing this life-changing prize, simply purchase your tickets online or from any authorised retailer throughout Ireland. Best of luck!
