€1m lotto jackpot winner in court on booze rap
‘Drunk in public’ charge for Martin
THIS €1million lotto winner may be forced to stump up a €127 fine — after he was charged with being drunk in public.
The Irish Mirror can reveal that Martin Casey — who won €1million in the Daily Millions with a quick pick last May — appeared in court in Limerick city on Wednesday charged with a single count under the public order act.
Mr Casey, of Caislean na habhainn in Castletroy, Co
Limerick, is charged with being intoxicated in a public place, contrary to
Section four of the
1994 Public order
Act.
The offence is alleged to have taken place on Old Cork
Road in Limerick in
October 2021 — five months after his lotto win. That offence carries a fine of €127 upon conviction but his case was adjourned to July.
One option for the judge in the case is to ask Mr Casey to make a donation to the court poor box — which would mean he would not have a conviction for the charge.
Mr Casey was not at home when The Irish Mirror called to it in Limerick on Thursday.
We also messaged him on his social media account, but he did not respond. But he previously spoke to us in May last year to confirm he had won the lotto.
He told The Irish Mirror: “Thank God, yeah,” when we asked if he was the winner of the cash.
He added: “Sure I have to get advice from my solicitor on things like that, you know.”
But he added: “It’s a good feeling.”
The identity of the winner of the ticket sold in the Eason shop in the Parkway estate just hours before the draw had been a mystery — until The Irish Mirror was tipped off it was Mr Casey, who lives in the Castletroy area of Limerick.
Mr Casey is a member of the Travelling community and a source revealed his identity to The Irish Mirror because he wanted people to hear good news about that community.
Several relatives also took to Facebook and social media to congratulate him on his winnings.
The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on the day of the draw at the Eason shop in the Parkway Shopping Centre which is located on the Dublin Road in Limerick city.
Eunan Boylan, Area Manager for Eason, was overjoyed to hear the good news about their shop selling the winning ticket.
He said: “This is the biggest win that we have had in our Parkway Shopping Centre store so it’s great news.
“We have lots of local customers as well so it’s great to think that it could be someone in the area who is the lucky winner.
“I’m sure they’ll get a surprise when they check their ticket and realise just how much it’s actually worth.
“We wish the winner all the best and hope they enjoy their new fortune!” he told The Irish Mirror.