Donegal mother found winning €250k Lotto ticket in her car after a week of pestering from her kids

A family from Donegal has collected a cheque for €250,000 after winning the top prize in the Lotto Plus draw on Saturday, October 22.

The winning mother revealed that she had her children to thank for getting her to check her ticket a week after the win was announced.

She said: "Everybody has been talking about the big win in the area but I genuinely never thought it would be us.

"The kids were constantly on the phones and their computers and they would tell me that there is still no news on the winner coming forward.

"They were absolutely convinced that it was us. They pestered me to find the ticket and to check it."

The family, who wish to keep their win private, bought their Quick Pick selection ticket at the Malin Cash Stores in Malin Town, Co. Donegal.

She said: "On Friday evening, to keep them quiet, I eventually gave in and found the ticket after searching the car.

"I handed it over to one of them to check it on the phone and a minute later, there was an almighty scream 'We've won Mam, we've won!'

"It was one of those surreal moments in your life. We’re still coming to terms with it all, but we’re enjoying the experience."

She said their new found fortune is "a perfect amount of money" for them to win.

She said: "We will pay off our debts in the coming weeks and then we will look at doing some work around the house. Christmas isn’t too far away either so there might be a treat or two for the children as well."