LOCALS IN Kinsale, Co Cork, were yesterday speculating as to the identity of the lucky ticket holder who scooped a jackpot of more than €7 million in Saturday’s draw.
Michael Smith, owner of Supervalu in Kinsale, said the win in his store was generating immense excitement in the town.
"This is the first big win we have ever had. In the past we had someone win €10,000 on a scratch card and we had a customer on Winning Streakbut we have never had anything like this. I have received loads of texts and have been on the phone all morning."
Mr Smith said he had no clue as to the identity of the winner as the pleasant weather in recent days led to a rise in the number of tourists to the town.
Mr Smith added that he was ecstatic at having sold the winning ticket.
“I would be happy if it was a tourist who bought it but it would be really lovely if it was a local person. It is great for the town.”
Meanwhile, local councillor Tomás O’Brien said the town was a “hive of activity” over the last few days.
“It has been exceptionally busy for March . . . We have had lots of people in Kinsale this weekend for hen nights and stag parties so nobody knows who it is.”
It was the 13th draw since the last jackpot winner and the winner in Kinsale and the holder of a ticket sold in Cavan will share a pot of just over €14 million.
The last time the Lotto jackpot reached near this level was in October last year when a man who bought his ticket in Donnybrook Fair in Dublin 4 won €16,390,239.
The numbers drawn were 15, 21, 23, 25, 44 and 45 and the bonus number was 10 and the jackpot total was €14,037,236. Wednesday’s jackpot is now a guaranteed €2 million.