Mystery punter in Donnybrook wins €16m third biggest Lotto jackpot
Staff at the family-run supermarket Donnybrook Fair in south Dublin were celebrating the lucky win yesterday, which will see the holder or holders of the ticket claim €16.3 million.
The winning ticket, a mixed-play, multi-draw ticket costing €30, was bought on Friday at the Dublin 4 shop.
Premises owner Joe Doyle last night said he had no clue as to who the lucky winner could be.
“We’re delighted the ticket was sold in our store. It’s our first shop win and we’ve obviously done it in style. Whoever won it, it’s their decision if they go public or not.”
The marathon jackpot claim had been running more than for 16 weeks since September 1.
The winning Lotto numbers on the weekend draw were 15, 16, 22, 25, 31, 32 and the bonus was 37.
The last time the winning amount reached near this level was in April earlier this year, when a couple bought their winning ticket in the Eason store in Dungarvan, Co Waterford and scooped the second largest jackpot ever won worth €16.7m.
But there was speculation last night that the lucky Donnybrook win may have been part of a syndicate.
“We get a cross section of shoppers here and we do quiet a few syndicate tickets for local offices,” added shop owner Joe Doyle.
In the meantime, the lucky ticket holder has 90 days from Friday to claim the winning amount and all eyes will be on Lotto headquarters in Dublin tomorrow when their doors reopen after the long weekend.
Lotto spokeswoman Paula McEvoy said: “We advise them in the meantime to sign the back of the ticket, put it somewhere safe and they can contact us if they want to speak confidentially.”
The largest ever Lotto win was claimed by the Dan Morrissey Syndicate, made up of 16 workmates from a Carlow cement plant, in June 2008, for €18.9m.
Since the National Lottery was launched, some €3.4 billion has been raised for good causes and charities. Funding has helped make a significant difference projects and individuals in the areas of youth, sports, health, welfare, the arts, national heritage and the Irish language.
