'An unexpected surprise': Cork store owners and staff thrilled at selling big winning EuroDreams ticket

CORK lottery players are encouraged to check their tickets after a Bandon store sold one worth €120,000 this week.

A EuroDreams player in Cork won €2,000 per month for five years in Thursday night’s EuroDreams draw, winning a Tier 2 prize in a special promotion held for the May 30 draw — which guaranteed that one player in Ireland would win the five-year prize.

The National Lottery has confirmed that the winning ticket was purchased on the day of the draw at O’Reilly’s Garage on the Clonakilty Road in Bandon, Cork, where the owners have been celebrating selling this life-changing ticket.

Shop owner Siobhan O’Reilly, who has owned the store with her husband Sean for nine years, was thrilled to hear the news: “It was an unexpected surprise to be getting a call from the National Lottery on a Thursday night, but certainly a welcome one.

“We were delighted to hear that one of our customers has now won €2,000 per month for five years and, of course, that we are the first store to have sold such a prize, as I believe the previous two wins were online.”

She explained that the winner could have been one of many people, saying: “We have a real mix of local and passing trade here and, with our shop being open 24 hours a day, we’re most definitely kept busy.

“We have a team of over 40 staff and they’re all certain to be excited when they hear the news.

“Hopefully, the winner will check their ticket soon and realise their luck,” Ms O’Reilly added.

The winning EuroDreams numbers in the May 30 draw were: 04, 10, 11, 17, 24, 39, and the dream number was 05.

The National Lottery are urging players who may have purchased their tickets at O’Reilly’s Garage to carefully check their tickets.

The winning ticket has been placed on hold.

TICKET CHECK

When the winner scans their ticket on the National Lottery App or in-store on a National Lottery terminal, they will receive a prompt to make contact with the National Lottery.

National Lottery spokesperson Sarah Orr explained: “A EuroDreams player in Cork has become the third Tier 2 prize winner in Ireland after winning €2,000 per month for five years in Thursday night’s draw.

“The May 30 draw marked our second Tier 2 promotion of the year, which guaranteed that at least one player in Ireland would win the Tier 2 prize.

“All of the winners from last night’s draw at every prize tier were placed into a special bonus draw, and our certified random number generator selected one ticket to win the additional prize.”

“The Tier 2 winner matched two numbers on their ticket to win €2.50.

“However, because of the May 30 promotion, they have also won €2,000 every month for five years.”

Nearly 30c in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to good causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, Irish heritage, and the Irish language.

In total, more than €6bn has been raised for good causes since the National Lottery was established 36 years ago.

In 2022 alone, €259.5m was raised for local good causes in communities across Ireland.