A KERRY bachelor who won £301,915 in the Lotto plans to buy a pub in Killarney with his winnings. But he will not give up his painting and decorating business entirely.
The man, who in his 40s and wishes to remain anonymous, won the prize before Christmas. But be told the Lotto organisers he could not travel to Dublin to collect his cheque because he was busy at work.
He told the organisers: "I was at home watching the draw as I usually do after a hard day's work when out they popped. I didn't realise immediately that I had all six . . . I rang my sister and she didn't believe me - I could hardly believe it myself."
The man revealed yesterday that he put the ticket in his wallet, hid it in the house and went to Killarney for a quiet pint. "I've kept it fairly quiet ever since."
The National Lottery announced before Christmas that a Dublin woman and a Kerry player bad shared the £603,830 jackpot.
The Kerry winner said yesterday: "People were saying to me when I was working: did I hear about the winner in Killarney? I used to reply, `I did', and try to keep the smile off my face. I was also paid money due to me for work during the year, so I wasn't short over the holidays."
He added that he would not give up his painting and deco rating because he loves the work. But he may get a manager to run the pub he intends buying.
He also revealed that he has played the Lotto since it began, always using the same randomly chosen numbers. He told the Lottery: "I don't normally play in the Lakeside filling station (where he bought his winning ticket) . . . l was just passing on the day and called in. I might Play, there more often from now one.