Speculation rampant over Erris €13.7 million lotto jackpot win

SPECULATION is rampant in Erris today (Sunday) as to the identity of the person who won last night’s giant €13.7 million jackpot.

The winning ticket was purchased yesterday’s in Carey’s Newsagency, Main Street, Belmullet.

As they sold the Sunday papers this morning, shop staff said they were delighted for the lucky winner but did not have a clue as to who that person was.

The possibility of a syndicate being involved has been deemed as remote as the winning numbers – 10,12,13, 19, 43 and 45 – were chosen on a Quickpick.

After returning home from the Fine Gael Ard Fheis this morning, local Councillor Gerry Coyle said he was delighted by the news that somebody had struck it gloriously rich but, like everyone else, he was absolutely in the dark about the winner’s identity.

'I hope the winner is local,' the councillor explained. 'It’s a nice boost for the area as we face into the New Year.'

This is the second time that that the Erris area of Co. Mayo has struck ‘gold’ in the lotto.

In August 2011 a family who live at Ballyglass, Belmullet, landed a €11 million jackpot.

The largest ever Lotto winners in Mayo were a family who scooped a €15 million Euromillions win on the strength of a ticket purchased at Costcutter Express, Main Street, Castlebar.

The winners, who have never gone public, said at the time they were 'delighted' and 'dumbstruck' by their good fortune.