Search is on for €16.7m lucky Lotto winner

THE search was on last night for the lucky €16.7 million Lotto winner as rumours swept the sunny south-east as to the identity of who had snapped up the golden ticket.

The country’s eyes were focused on the quiet coastal community of Dungarvan after the €16.7m winning ticket was purchased from Eason’s in the town’s shopping centre.

Shop owner Pat White explained that the colossal cash win was not the first time a customer had walked away from the shop with a lucky draw.

“We’ve had two people go on Winning Streak after buying tickets here – one who spun the wheel and won €60,000 and another who won €50,000.

“We’re delighted with this win. There’s a real buzz around the town and a great positive feeling around the place.”

Mr White said he had earlier received an anonymous phone call from the winner, who he described as “emotional” and “still in shock”.

“I advised them to contact Lotto headquarters. They were a bit nervous about the publicity.”

Local sources last night said the winner was a married middle-aged woman living in the nearby village of Lemybrien, while others were suggesting the bonanza ticket had been bought by a father-of-four in Dungarvan itself.

It was confirmed, however, that the winner was not a syndicate but an individual ticket holder.

Lotto spokeswoman Paula McEvoy said the ticket holder had 90 days to collect their winnings, with the winning ticket bought on Saturday afternoon.

“Until someone comes and shows their name on the back of the ticket with the numbers, it’s all rumour to us,” she said.

It is thought there were an estimated 2,000 tickets a minute bought around the country in the hour before the big draw.

The winning numbers 6, 13, 24, 33, 34, and 38 netted the life-changing prize for the lucky punter.

The €6 quick-pick win is now the second highest jackpot win on record.

The biggest Lotto jackpot to date – €18.9m – was won in 2008 by the Dan Morrissey syndicate in Carlow.

The biggest single win claimed to date was by Louth man Greg Smyth who bagged a cool €9.4m with his lucky numbers in 2008.

Lotto headquarters last night said that winning draws have created 380 millionaires, while a total of €4 billion has been given out in prizes since Lotto draws and games began in 1987.

Town Mayor Damien Geoghegan described the wonderful buzz around Dungarvan.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. We’re also delighted about the focus on the town.

“We’d all like to pass on our good wishes to the winner but nobody is sure who it is yet.”