Cork man wins new Ford Focus in charity car draw

Cork man, Michael McCarthy, has been announced as the winner of St Vincent De Paul’s (SVP) annual Car Draw, seeing more than €192,000 raised for the charity.

The Blarney native won a new Ford Focus following the draw, which took place recently at the Ford showrooms in Cork city.

The annual draw, now in its 25th year, generated €192,538.70 for the charity, which will now go towards the provision of care and services to support people in need across Cork and Kerry throughout 2026.

The event was attended by a number of SVP South West representatives, as well as the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy who pulled the first prize ticket and contacted Mr McCarthy to inform him of his winnings.

In 2024, SVP South-West provided more than €5 million in direct support across Cork and Kerry, including €780,000 in direct assistance; €2m in vouchers; €420,000 on food/hampers; €900,000 on fuel and energy supports; and €800,000 in education supports.

Volunteers additionally supported 27,314 families and individuals, delivered 18,660 hampers, provided 5,442 fuel supports, issued 1,397 energy supports, supported 6,885 students, and helped 97 families avoid homelessness. 

Speaking at the presentation of the car, SVP South West president, Mary Frances Behan thanked people across Cork and Kerry for contributing to the fundraiser, as the income generated “remains a vital source of funding for the Society’s work in the region”.

In addition to Mr McCarthy, there were five more Cork winners on the day, as well as one from Kerry.

Among the winners were S. O’Sullivan from Caherciveen, who won a holiday to the value of €2,500; L. Looney from Ballincollig, who won an overnight stay and spa treatment at Fota Island Resort; S. Moriarty from Castletownbere, who won two tickets to the All-Ireland Hurling Final; I. Halpin from Cork city who won a €1,000 shopping voucher; I. McGrath from Cork city who won a €250 cash prize; and M. Komara from Rochestown who won a €1,500 cash prize.