Mystery as Lotto joy hits Kenmare again

KENMARE shop-owner Derry Murphy said excitement is tangible in the south Kerry town after his SuperValu Store on the Old Railway Road sold its second Lotto Plus-winning ticket in the space of five years on Saturday.

Someone who purchased a Quick Pick ticket at the store on the day of the draw (June 17) is sitting on the Lotto Plus 2 top prize of €250,000. And there’s been no shortage of speculation over the identity of the winner, but Mr Murphy admitted he has ‘no clue who won’, while National LotteryHQ is urging everyone to check their tickets.

“We haven’t heard from the winner yet, so we have no idea where they are from or who they are,” Miriam Donohue of the National Lottery told The Kerryman.

“As always, we advise all our players to check their tickets to see if they’re the winner, and we look forward to welcoming them to our Winners’ Room,” she added.

The winning numbers were 01, 17, 30, 33, 35, and 43 and the bonus number was 02. Mr Murphy reminded The Kerryman that his store also sold a winning Lotto Plus 1 ticket in 2013.

“The mood is similar this week to what happened in 2013,” he said. “Lottery headquarters rang me with the news on Sunday, and since then it feels like everyone in town has come in to check a lottery ticket.

“It’s great for the town because it’s put everyone in a good mood. We’ve heard lots of rumours but, in truth, we haven’t a clue who’s scooped the prize. They were waiting a month last time before the winner came forward!”

The winner must claim within 90 days of the draw. National Lottery asks them to sign the back of their ticket and phone 01 836 4444 to claim.