There's a new millionaire in town...
A young Donegal man is celebrating winning a cool €1 million from Saturday night’s winning Lotto Plus 1 draw.
Odhran Doherty, aged 23 from the Glebe in Letterkenny, came forward today as the holder of the golden ticket, which was given to him by his dad Liam.
Odhran Doherty is pictured here (centre right) with his girlfriend Jessica Orr and his parents Margaret and Liam; James Barclay, shop owner and Pauric Gillespie from the National Lottery at the shop Barclay’s in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. Pic: Philip Mulligan / Mac Innes Photography
The winning ticket was one of three bought by Liam in Barclay’s of The Diamond in Raphoe. And nobody could believe the odds that the village would produce another jackpot winner in such a short space of time.
Odhran’s win was the third big National Lottery win of the year for the small border town. Not only did Barclay’s sell Saturday’s Lotto Plus ticket but it also sold a winning EuroMillions Plus ticket worth €500,000 in February.
And in an incredible run of luck, the Centra Store in Raphoe sold the winning Match 5 Plus Bonus winning ticket from the Lotto Draw on Feb 28th – nabbing that ticket holder a cool €98,068.
Odhran was left speechless on Saturday evening when he checked the numbers on his ticket and realised he was the winner.
He had a party to go to that night, but he called into Barclay’s shop in Raphoe the next morning to claim the prize.
Odhran spoke with owner James Barclay and asked him if he knew who the owner of the winning lotto ticket was.
Mr Bartley replied he had heard some rumours but didn’t know who exactly had won the €1 million.
His mum Margaret said: “That’s when Odhran stuck out his hand and told James Bartley that he was speaking with the winner. It sounds so funny but that would be Odhran alright.”
Odhran Doherty is pictured here with his dad Liam at the shop Barclay’s in Raphoe, Co. Donegal where he bought the ticket. Pic: Philip Mulligan / Mac Innes Photography
Margaret says the family have been on a high since learning they won the jackpot.
“He simply couldn’t believe it at first but it soon sunk in and he was just so delighted. I have a pain in my neck from all the hugs he has given me.
“He’s a lovely big young fella and this will set him up now for life. We’re just so delighted for him,” said Margaret.
The owner of the winning Lotto Plus 1 shop, Jimmy Barclay, said today he was delighted that his shop had sold another big National Lottery ticket “There is great excitement in the town we are delighted for the winner!”
In February, Barclay’s shop sold a EuroMillions Plus winning ticket won by 84-year-old retired farmer, Charlie Meehan, from Manorcunningham. Charlie, who decided to go public with his win, revealed he was in recovery from cancer and declared at the time he was going to enjoy his winnings with his family.
A National Lottery spokesperson said today: “What are the odds! Three big wins in a few months in a small town. What a great day it is for Barclay’s newsagents.”
Odhran’s one million euro winning numbers were: 8, 11, 16, 18, 20, 46 and bonus number 40.
