Stepson seeks share of Lotto win

A dispute between a stepmother and her stepson over a one-sixth share in a €3.38m Lotto win has come before the High Court.

David Walsh has brought proceedings against Mary Walsh, claiming that he is entitled to a share of the prize money of just over €560,000. Ms Walsh rejects the claim, and says he is not entitled to the money.

The ticket was one of two winning tickets for a Lotto jackpot of approximately €6.7m drawn on January 22, 2011.

The €12 ticket at the centre of the legal dispute was sold at Salmons Department Store, Main St, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. The other winning ticket was sold in Caherciveen in Co Kerry.

The dispute was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court yesterday. The court heard Mr Walsh claims he was one of six people that signed the back of the winning ticket and is entitled to one-sixth of the prize money.

In his action, Mr Walsh, of Knocknagreena, Ballinasloe, seeks orders from the court including one declaring he is entitled to €564,000 from the Lotto prize money and Ms Walsh received the winnings as trustee for her stepson.

He also seeks an order directing his stepmother to pay him the sum of €564,000.

Ms Walsh, of Perssepark, Ballinasloe, denies the claims and is opposing the action. Claire Bruton, for Ms Walsh, said it is her client’s case that the winning ticket belonged to her and not her stepson. Counsel said, that following the win, Mr Walsh was gifted his late father’s family home, but her stepson was not entitled to the proceeds of the Lotto prize.

Mr Justice Gilligan fixed a date in November for the hearing. He directed any pretrial motions, including the discovery of relevant materials in advance of the hearing, can be mentioned before the court in a month’s time.