RTE cameraman Neil Denehy recording Erin Dooley and proprietor Michael Hanrahan in Hanrahan’s Londis in the Faythe with the news of the lotto winner. Pic: Jim Campbell

THERE WERE joyous celebrations at the National Lottery headquarters last week as a syndicate of four people collected their €7,902,685 Lotto winnings after hitting the Lotto jackpot on April 23.

The winning ticket, a normal draw ticket, was purchased in Hanrahan’s Londis in the The Faythe on the day of the draw and caused great speculation and excitement in the local area for days and weeks afterwards. The owner of the shop, Michael Hanrahan said when he had received the call from the Lotto he was convinced that it was someone playing a joke on him.

The four-person syndicate, who wish to remain anonymous, revelled in the Lotto success as they came to terms with the win. Plans are already underway for the group to go on a sun holiday together before deciding on their plans for their win.

All four members have vowed to return to work after their break away.

One winner from the syndicate, who is a lifetime player of the Lotto said: “It’s already been over two weeks since we hit the jackpot and the reality of it all has really only started to sink in. The rest of the syndicate are laughing at me because I have continued to do our usual lines in the Lotto and EuroMillions ever since!”

They added: “We are all planning a nice long sun holiday this week so we can take some time out and think carefully about what we will do with our winnings. We are going to enjoy this win for a long time but the priority for all of us in the syndicate is to take care of our individual families.”