Offaly family collects cool €500k Euromillions prize

An Offaly family is half a million euro richer as a result of a Euromillions windfall which they collected at national lottery headquarters today (Tuesday). 

The winners were described as "a small family syndicate" from the county and they won the prize in the Euromillions draw that took place on February 12. 

The lucky ticket was purchased by a member of the syndicate at the Newsround shop in the Dunnes Shopping Centre in Tullamore. 

Commenting on the win, a spokesperson for the syndicate said: "It’s an incredible feeling. We’re not flash and this win certainly won’t change us. 

"All I am thinking of is the security it will bring us. I often stress about things like what if the car breaks down? Or what if the pump in the shower goes? It’s these small things that this win will cover if they ever happen. Our luck will be a comfort blanket for us all and of course we will enjoy some of it."

The syndicate spokesperson went on to explain the moment she discovered that the family had won the €500,000 prize.

"It was a normal Wednesday morning and I was having my breakfast and I heard on the news bulletins on Midlands 103FM that someone in Offaly was half a million richer. 

"I immediately thought – ‘that’s us’, so I went to my bag, pulled out the ticket and scanned it on the National Lottery app and it told me to contact the Lottery. I checked the numbers online and I started screaming. 

"I was home alone at the time so I started calling everyone and nobody would pick up the phone. I jumped in the car – I’m pretty sure I still had my dressing gown on! I drove to my daughter’s house and broke the good news there and eventually we got through to the others. I still can’t believe it," she said. 

On Tuesday, February 19, a large family syndicate from North Dublin scooped a massive €175 million on EuroMillions draw – the highest ever jackpot win in the life of the National Lottery.