A stroke of luck came to Co Laois when Kevin Doheny, a local resident, won the EuroMillions Plus jackpot worth €500,000. The fortunate Lotto player shared how his family reacted with disbelief when he initially informed them of his big win. Kevin had purchased his winning Quick Pick ticket at Daybreak on Main Street in Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois, just a day before the draw on May 14.
Kevin’s journey to receiving his tremendous prize began with a spontaneous decision. He explained how he was casually watching television when an impulse struck him to buy a ticket for that night’s draw. “I jumped straight in the car and got my ticket but of course didn’t think anything else of it. I left the ticket in the car and the next day when I was checking the ticket, I was wondering was I in the right car because I thought I just had to be seeing things,” he recounted.
To confirm his disbelief, Kevin went back to the store where he purchased the ticket. The staff at Daybreak double-checked the winning numbers for him, leading to a shared moment of astonishment. “I think the lady on the counter got some shock too as I’m sure they don’t see these big wins all the time either!” Kevin said. The store personnel immediately contacted the Claims Department, verifying his win and setting the stage for a morning filled with excitement and disbelief. “Talk about a total whirlwind of a morning!”
Kevin’s revelation was met with skepticism within his own family. He called his sister, who was on holiday in America, at what was 4 AM her time with the startling news. “She certainly wasn’t expecting a call from me at that time, especially with news like that,” Kevin shared. It took some convincing for her to fully grasp the reality of his win. Coincidentally, as if to corroborate his story, a message popped up in their family WhatsApp group about a significant local win from the previous night’s draw. Additionally, local radio stations were buzzing about a large prize ticket sold at the Daybreak store, intensifying the excitement in the community.
Seeing the message, Kevin promptly replied, revealing himself as the lucky winner: “I replied immediately by saying ‘It’s me who won the €500,000’.
.” However, it didn’t end the skepticism altogether. Kevin humorously described how he had to continue convincing other family members until they finally believed he had indeed won the jackpot.
Kevin brought several siblings with him to the National Lottery HQ in Dublin to officially collect his life-changing prize. While he is still unsure about his future plans, a family celebration is definitely a priority. The heartwarming support and well-wishes from friends and community members emphasize the communal joy and shared excitement for his incredible fortune.
Meanwhile, as Kevin’s story resonated across the Midlands, excitement is escalating for EuroMillions enthusiasts gearing up for the upcoming Friday night draw, which features a massive guaranteed jackpot of €130 million. Since its inception in Ireland in 2004, the EuroMillions game has produced 17 Irish jackpot winners. Should the monumental €130 million jackpot be won in Ireland, it would add another name to the esteemed list of Irish EuroMillions winners.
The year 2023 has already proven fruitful for several EuroMillions participants in Ireland, with 11 players achieving life-changing wins so far. Ten times in this year, the EuroMillions Plus top prize of €500,000 has found its way to winners in Dublin (3), Tipperary, Cork, Wicklow (2), Kilkenny, Laois, and Kildare. Additionally, in May, a Cork player became an instant millionaire, securing a €1,005,000 prize in the special Ireland Only Raffle.
Sarah Orr, a National Lottery spokesperson, expressed anticipation for the forthcoming draw, stating, “It’s already been a big 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.”
For those hoping to join the ranks of the EuroMillions winners, Orr reminded players to secure their tickets before the 7.30 pm cut-off time on Friday. Tickets are available in-store nationwide, via the National Lottery app, and online at www.lottery.ie.
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