Woman finds €500k lotto ticket in her press

When most people look in their cupboards they see cups and saucers, bowls and dishes.

But last week one lucky lady from Cork looked in her press and found a little something extra — a lottery ticket worth €500,000.

Collecting her prize at Lotto headquarters yesterday, she said she bought the winning ticket in Killarney last month — though she very nearly bought an ice cream instead.

“It was a warm day and I fancied a cone. But it was too early in the year to get one so I bought a Euromillions ticket instead,” she said.

Laughing and sipping champagne, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she never checks her Lotto tickets straight away.

“I found the ticket in my press last week and brought it with me to check when I was doing the shopping. When I scanned the ticket it said to contact the National Lottery so I wasn’t sure what I’d won.”

The woman’s ticket was a €3 Quick Pick for March 10, purchased in the Post Office in Glenflesk, Killarney, Co Kerry six weeks ago.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was told it was half a million,” she said.

Meanwhile, another €500,000 prize was also claimed at Lotto headquarters yesterday, by a Dublin man who bought his ticket online.

“I got an email to say there was exciting news. When I saw all those noughts and realised I’d won a half a million I was sceptical,” he said.

“I thought ‘I’ll not believe it until I have the cheque in my hand’.”

The man’s doubts were settled after he was presented with his €500,000 cheque yesterday.

“I’ll use some to pay off the mortgage and bills and perhaps upgrade the car. The rest will be used as a nest egg.”

Both winners won the top prize in the Euromillions Plus draw.

Tonight’s Euromillions draw is worth €15m.

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