A 45-year-old Limerick mother of six left the National Lottery offices in Dublin more than €115 million richer yesterday, after collecting the largest ever EuroMillions lottery jackpot.
Dolores McNamara, from Garryowen, was presented with a giant novelty cheque for €115,436,126, a bouquet of flowers, and a warm congratulatory kiss by National Lottery director Ray Bates at a champagne reception at lottery headquarters on Abbey Street, Dublin.
Looking stunned but composed, she posed for photographs but declined to answer any questions. Her solicitor, David Sweeney, told reporters that Ms McNamara was adamant that she and her family would keep their feet "firmly on the ground".
Ms McNamara arrived at the lottery's offices at 2.30pm, finally emerging into media spotlight after more than four days in hiding since the discovery of her win last Friday night.
She spent Wednesday night at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in west Dublin, preparing herself for her public appearance with a new hairstyle and a manicure, but eschewed the door-to-door Luas in favour of a black Jaguar.
Her solicitor was the first to emerge from the car, holding aloft a briefcase which contained the "golden" ticket.
Ms McNamara then appeared, flanked by two burly, dark-suited men. She kept her head down, passing without comment through scores of photographers, cameramen and reporters.
At a press conference held 90 minutes later, Mr Sweeney said Ms McNamara wanted to thank everyone who had wished her well in her good fortune. She hoped for a "sense of closure" to the attention attracted, he added.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/0bcd259b-2f01-4cec-ad76-961379866d32.png)