Lotto winner says farewell to workplace after 27 years

Lotto multi-millionaire Kevin Geoghegan promised former colleagues he would try not to change as he left his job of 27 years yesterday.

Had he not scooped €10.5m lotto jackpot with his partner Carol Loran, 39, Kevin, 46, said: “I’d be coming in today now if this didn’t happen, but that’s the way it goes.”

However, Kevin doesn’t believe workers at Trend Technologies in Mullingar would begrudge him the win.

“They’d be all delighted for me, I’m an ordinary old Joe Soap,” he said.

As staff gathered to say goodbye, Kevin said: “I had a few hard times but I had good times as well and you all stood by me, you never let me down, you all helped me one way or another.

“I won’t forget you for that. We will have a good auld hooley some night somewhere and no one will know about it,” he promised.

Quality manager Marie O’Toole said: “He’s a good character. I wouldn’t think there is anybody he wouldn’t get on with.”

Co-worker Bob Brady said Kevin was “a genuine guy, he’s just salt of the earth, no airs or graces”.

Bob recalled how a syndicate from Trend which included Kevin once almost won the Lotto. “It was at least 14 years ago,” he said. “There was 10 of us in it and it was €12,000. We were just one number short and the number was just one digit out.”

Managing director Donal Lawlor wished Kevin well. “Our production is behind this week because Kevin wasn’t here,” he said. “I think it is going to be a big change for him after 27 years.”

The implications of the win are beginning to hit home for Kevin. “It’s is kinda sinking in now because everywhere you go people are shaking hands, hugging you. It’s a great feeling though.”

He said his three children will always remain his priority. Aside from buying a car, taking a holiday, and still playing Lotto, Kevin was quiet on his future.

When asked about his relationship with Carol, he said things were “not too bad. Carol, she’s doing her thing and I am doing my thing. She needs her time with her family and I need time with my family.”

The pair are planning to take a holiday together in the coming days, “when we go on the holiday, we will have a bit of craic and see what happens”, he said.

Carol said she has no intention of quitting her job.

“I’m definitely keeping my job. It’s a goal now to qualify as a cashier so that’s what I want to do,” she said. She plans to get away from the “hype” enjoy her holiday and figure out where to go from there.