In a surprising turn of events, a fortunate Lotto player from Co Laois revealed that his family’s initial reaction to his EuroMillions Plus jackpot win was one of disbelief. Kevin Doheny, the Midlands winner, clinched the substantial prize of €500,000 in the EuroMillions draw held on May 14, thanks to a Quick Pick ticket he had purchased just a day earlier at Daybreak, Main Street, Borris in Ossory, Co. Laois.
Doheny’s unexpected windfall prompted a visit to the National Lottery headquarters in Dublin, where he collected his life-altering prize. Reflecting on his fortuitous decision, Doheny recounted how purchasing the ticket was a spontaneous move. “I was sitting there watching the television, and something just came over me to go and buy a ticket for the draw that evening,” he explained. “I jumped straight in the car and got my ticket, but of course didn’t think anything else of it.”
The ticket remained in his car overnight. It wasn’t until the following day, when Doheny checked his ticket, that he began to suspect something extraordinary. “I was wondering if I was in the right car because I thought I just had to be seeing things,” he said. “I headed straight for the shop where I purchased the ticket, which was Daybreak in Borris-in-Ossory, and they double-checked it for me. I think the lady behind the counter was equally stunned, as big wins like this aren’t commonplace.”
The store confirmed Doheny’s win by contacting the Claims Department, validating the astonishing news. “Talk about a total whirlwind of a morning!” Doheny exclaimed.
Accompanied by several of his siblings, Doheny recounted how he shared the unexpected news with his family. Some were skeptical at first, particularly his sister who was on holiday in the United States. “As soon as I got in the door, I rang my sister who was on holiday in America at the time,” Doheny recalled. “I wasn’t even considering the time difference, as it was 4 AM for her! She was certainly not expecting a call from me – especially with news like that.”
Initially, his sister found it hard to believe him.
. Coincidentally, as she was digesting the news, a message popped up in the family WhatsApp group, mentioning that someone from Borris-in-Ossary had won big in the EuroMillions draw. Local radio stations had also started buzzing about the shop where the winning ticket was sold, generating excitement about the local victory.
“I replied immediately by saying, ‘It’s me who won the €500,000.’ I had to go back into convincing mode for the rest of the family before they all eventually believed me.”
Doheny shared that he has received an outpouring of congratulations from friends and the community, though he has yet to decide on what to do next with his winnings. A family celebration is, however, at the top of his list.
Meanwhile, anticipation is mounting among EuroMillions players ahead of the upcoming Friday night draw, which boasts a staggering guaranteed jackpot of €130 million. Since its launch in Ireland in 2004, the EuroMillions game has produced 17 jackpot winners from Ireland. If Friday’s colossal €130 million goes to an Irish player, it could add to this prestigious list.
Year-to-date, eleven Irish players have won life-changing prizes through the EuroMillions game. The EuroMillions Plus top prize of €500,000 alone has been clinched ten times since January by winners from Dublin (3), Tipperary, Cork, Wicklow (2), Kilkenny, Laois, and Kildare. Additionally, a player from Cork became an immediate millionaire by winning €1,005,000 in the special Ireland Only Raffle in May.
Sarah Orr, a representative from the National Lottery, shared some encouraging words for players eyeing a big win in Friday’s draw: “It’s already been an extraordinary year for EuroMillions players in Ireland, and this Friday’s draw could make it even bigger! A EuroMillions player in Ireland could have a Friday night to remember with a guaranteed €130 million jackpot up for grabs.”
“If a player in Ireland were to win this massive amount, they would become the 18th Irish EuroMillions jackpot winner since the game launched in 2004. Players dreaming of being the next EuroMillions winner to pick up their cheque at Lotto HQ are reminded that tickets can be purchased nationwide in-store, through our app, and at www.lottery.ie ahead of the 7:30 PM cut-off time for sales on Friday evening,” Orr added.
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