Hopes Lotto win will be silver lining

A shop owner who sold a winning €500,000 All or Nothing Lottery ticket to a first-time player is hoping the win will brighten the life of a person, who may have been affected by the recent floods.

Ken Grandon, who runs the Mace shop in Glanmire, said he ss convinced the man, who collected his winnings yesterday, is local.

“There aren’t any rumours circulating yet as to who he is, but lots of locals play All or Nothing here.

“We’re hoping it’s one of the flooding victims so it will be something to brighten up their lives,” he said.

Up to 60 houses in Glanmire village, Meadowbrook Estate, and Sallybrook were hit by the Jun 28 floods.

Mr Grandon, who also runs Grandon Car Sales in Sallybrook, was a victim the same day. His company lost a number of cars as up to 4ft of water engulfed the area.

He said: “It’s the first time we’ve had a big winner in the Mace shop, but we have had a number of big winners before at the Centra shop in Sallybrook.”

According to the National Lottery, it was the first time the winner had played All or Nothing. He played the game seven times last Saturday and matched all 12 numbers, scooping the €500,000 prize.

He is reported to have told lottery officials: “I am in shock and haven’t had time to think about how I’ll spend the money.”

The winner wishes to remain anonymous.