Charlie, 84, on beating cancer and winning €500k in the Euromillions

AN 84-year-old farmer who beat cancer has scooped €500,000 on the Euromillions.

Charlie Meehan told how he has never felt better after checking his Lotto numbers on Tuesday night.

The pensioner, from Carrick in Drumoghill, Co Donegal, said he often plays when buying a newspaper but never thought he would win.

Charlie added: “I woke the wife from the bed as she was sleeping and I told her we’d won some money.

“Of course, like a good woman, she asked exactly how much we’d won.”

But despite winning the cash sum, he believed he has already won the Lotto after overcoming cancer.

Charlie said: “I’ve no real plans for the cash. It is a nice sum but I have my health now and that’s all that matters. I had my health problems in the past when I had cancer in 2012.

“I spent most of that year in hospital but made a great recovery.

“To be honest, I don’t worry too much about the money at this stage in my life.

“All I’m concerned about is being able to live a happy and healthy life and money can’t buy you that.

“It’s a lovely sum of money. I’m kind of glad I didn’t win anything bigger because it might bring it owns worries with it then. I haven’t thought about what to do with the cash. There are a few women about the house so I’m sure they’ll come up with ways of spending it.”

Charlie bought his lucky Quick Pick ticket in Barclay’s Newsagents in Raphoe. Owner Jimmy Barclay said: “We’re absolutely over the moon. We are a small communitybased shop in the heart of Raphoe Town with a very loyal customer base so we’re just thrilled one of these people has won the €500,000 prize.”