A GROUP of workers from the Barry Group in Mallow were celebrating yesterday after scooping €369,210 in Lotto winnings from a €7 quick pick.

The 20-person syndicate – aged between 22 and 60 - received €18,460 each at National Lottery headquarters in Dublin yesterday. The group have each been contributing €1 a week to their Lotto fund for the last three years Jim Barry, managing director of the Barry Group, one of the largest wholesale companies in the country, travelled with his staff to collect their winnings and described them as a “ terrific bunch of people”.

Syndicate spokesperson Emma Quaid said there was an air of disbelief among her colleagues about the won.

“We have been playing together as a group for over four years now and we never thought we’d see the day where we’d all be hopping on a bus to collect a huge prize like this. There has been an incredible buzz throughout Mallow town since the win, so it’s nice to finally arrive at National Lottery offices to pick up our cheque,” she said.

“With all the excitement I don’t think there was too much work done in the office last Wednesday. We are delighted Jim Barry is also with us. He has been very supportive and gave us all a half day to travel here. After tomorrow, it’ll be back to business as usual but not before a few glasses of champagne,” she added.

Staff members intend to use the cash for a variety of things.

Paul Ring, from Buttevant, said he will put some of the money away for his one-year-old daughter's future and will pay off some loans, while 24-year-old Eoin Maye who has been with the company just a short time said he will purchase a car.