BARRY’S SYNDICATE CELEBRATE €369,210 LOTTO WIN
IT’S something that anyone who has ever brought a national lottery ticket dreams of but few have had the pleasure of experiencing.
On Monday a 20-strong syndicate of workers from the Barry Group in Mallow boarded a bus for the capital to pick up a cheque for a cool €369,210 after their numbers came up in the previous Tuesday night’s draw.
The win meant that each syndicate member arrived back home with €18,460.
Among the group was Margueritte Murphy from Lombardstown, who has been part of the syndicate since it was set up four-years ago.
“We have had a couple of small wins over the years, but nothing anywhere near this. One of the girls checked our ticket at work on Wednesday morning and for a while there was just a sense of disbelief,” she said.
It was only after they had checked their numbers online and found out how much they had won that the enormity of their good fortune finally sunk home.
“You could hear the screaming and roaring all over the place. As people began to arrive in, word spread and there was just this amazing atmosphere around the place,” said Margueritte, who will use her winnings to help fund a few home improvements.
She said that while the money was not life-altering, it would come as a great start to many of the syndicate’s younger members.
“One person is getting married in September, another is pregnant and another will be able to get the Audi he has always wanted,” she said.
Paul Ring from Buttevant, who has been part of the syndicate for the past two-years, said he was on holidays when a colleague called him about the win.
“I honestly thought he was winding me up at first. I rang a couple of the others who said it was true and at first I was in shock,” he said.
“I have a one-year-old daughter and will put some money away for her future as well as paying off a few loans. This money will give us a bit of breathing space and make life a lot easier going forward,” he added.
Both Margueritte and Paul thanked Jim Barry, for giving them last Monday off and hiring the coach to take them to Dublin.
“He has been brilliant and allowed us to celebrate as a team, something that has meant so much to us all,” said Margueritte.
Mr Barry said he was delighted for his staff.
“They are a terrific bunch of people and I could not be whappier for them. I wish them all the luck with the win and hope it brings them lots of joy and pleasure.”