Lotto delight but prizes unclaimed

THE general mood in Sheahan’s Centra in Glenbeigh is of understandable delight as it sold its second EuroMillions Plus-winning ticket in the space of five weeks – but there will be a little concern growing that both prizes remain unclaimed.

Fran Whearty of the National Lottery described the success experienced by Sheahan’s Centra as ‘unbelievable’; last Tuesday (March 31) was the second time the shop has sold a €500,000-winning EuroMillions Plus ticket in quick succession, and it’s the store’s third ‘winner’ overall. It sold a €250,000 Lotto Plus Two-winning ticket in February 2018, and this was followed on February 28, 2020, by the first of its recent EuroMillions successes. But that February 28 prize remains unclaimed 40 days on, and while it’s still within the 90-day limit, Mr Whearty urged the public to check their slips.

“It’s unbelievable that they [Sheahan’s] have sold another winning ticket,” he told The Kerryman. “But while I won’t say we’re worried, we are more concerned about the February 28 winner coming forward.

“At the moment, though, we have no word from either winner.”

Mr Whearty explained that there are plans to extend the claims deadline to 180 days, inspired by the current COVID-19 situation, and this would give the likes of the February winner more breathing room – but that change is still awaiting approval.

In the meantime, Aisling Sheahan said she had a tough job convincing her staff the morning after the draw that she wasn’t playing an April Fool’s Day prank.

“Nobody believed me at first,” she said. “To sell one EuroMillions Plus prize worth €500,000 is amazing, but to sell another one a matter of weeks later is just truly unbelievable. In the space of five weeks, we have sold two prizes worth a combined €1million. That is just magical stuff for a small village like Glenbeigh.”

Last Tuesday’s numbers were 08, 15, 23, 41, and 42, while the winning numbers on February 28 were 01, 02, 05, 25, and 35.

“All National Lottery prizes over €15,000 must be claimed at National Lottery HQ on Abbey Street in Dublin city centre. In light of the current circumstances, our lucky winners who have won prizes exceeding €15,000 should make an appointment by calling our prize claims team”, the National Lottery explained.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Staff members Lucy Clifford and Kieran Murphy with (right) Pat Sheahan , celebrating the €500,000 win in the Lotto at Sheahan’s Centra, Glenbeigh.