Meath couple claim €500,000 prize in EuroMillions draw

A Meath couple has come forward to claim the half a million euro prize won in last Tuesday night's EuroMillions Plus draw. The duo who chose not go public picked up the €500,000 cheque at National Lottery headquarters on Tuesday morning. The winning quick-pick ticket was sold at Ryan’s Foodstore in  Rathmolyon on Sunday 29th September.  

There were three winners of the EuroMillions Plus top prize on Tuesday 1st October in Meath, Kerry and Dublin and according to a spokesperson for the National Lottery, the couple thought that they had only won a share of the prize (€166,666) before realising they had scooped a staggering €500,000. 

The National Lottery said:

"A Meath man was scrolling through Facebook on Tuesday morning when he noticed a post announcing the win in Ryan’s Foodstore. He had to hurriedly call his partner to ask her where she bought their ticket.

"The couple now plans to pay off their mortgage but they have promised to take some time out before the decide what to do with the rest of their winnings." 

Mary and Christy Ryan outside their shop where ticket was sold  in Rathmolyon

Christy Ryan got the news that he had sold a half a million winner when he was contacted by the National Lottery on Tuesday night and Lottery personnel arrived at the shop the following morning.

"It is fantastic.  We are over the moon. We are delighted that it went to someone in the county. €500,000 is a nice manageable sum for anyone.  It is great for the shop and for the community."

"There has been a buzz about the place all week. Storm Lorenzo came and went without a word because everyone was talking about the Euromillions."

Although there has been much speculation no one knows who the lucky winners are, 

"We are always busy on Sundays, particularly after the Masses, so we wouldn't have a clue who it was but we wish them the very best of luck and hope it brings them happiness."