The winner of the €500,000 prize in the Euromillons Plus draw, which was sold in Penrose’s shop, Ballynacargy, on Tuesday, 17 February, is remaining anonymous.
However, the winner of the big tax free prize, won in the Euromillions Plus draw, is a local man, who confirmed he has no major plans for the big money when he picked up his cheque at National Lottery offices in Dublin. He scooped half of the €1m prize in last Tuesday’s draw, with the other €500,000 going to a player in Dublin. His specially chosen winning numbers were 5, 20, 30, 39 and 41.
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, collected the €500,000 prize last Thursday.
“I’ve been playing these numbers for years. I just picked them randomly and can’t believe they’ve been so lucky for me. I’ve won a few euro but never anything like this.
“When I saw there were two winners of the top prize that night, I was sure we’d split the prize 50-50. I was listening to Midlands Radio and the Lottery person said I’d won the full half million. I couldn’t believe it! It was like winning all over again. Out of nowhere the prize had been doubled!”
The lucky €6 mixed play ticket was bought in Willie and Anne Penrose’s shop, Main Street, Ballynacargy. The winner currently has no plans for the cash, preferring to let the good news sink in before making any big decisions.
There was great excitement around the village of Ballynacargy last Wednesday when news emerged of the big winner, the first lotto jackpot prize ever sold in the village. The Penrose family have been running the newsagents and grocery shop for the past 17 years and are the third owners of the premises since it opened in Ballynacargy.
Previous owners, the O’Connells and Kearneys never sold a jackpot prize, though they had significant wins in the lotto, including €5,000 and €10,000, sold in scratch card prizes, while others have enjoyed big wins on the former TV game show, Wining Streak and Telly Bingo has also been lucky for some.
Anne Penrose said the first they knew of the win was when Lottery HQ called on Wednesday morning.
“We got a call from the National Lottery informing us we sold the winning ticket and we put a poster up in the shop advising people to check their tickets. We hoped it was a local winner; we had a big crowd in the village for our annual Church Concert on Tuesday evening and many of them would have played the lotto,” she said.
Deputy Willie Penrose, who owns the family shop with his wife, Anne, said it’s a great news story for the village and wished the winner well.
“Obviously we respect the decision to remain anonymous and we’re delighted that it is someone local,” he said.
“It’s the first winner of a lotto jackpot prize we have had and it has generated great excitement locally. Obviously, our wish is that the big win brings great happiness and that it will be invested wisely. We hope it brings great joy and happiness to the winner, their family and friends,” he added.
It’s good news on all fronts for this lotto win as both shops involved receive €5,000 from the National Lottery. Paul McEvoy, a spokesperson for the National Lottery, confirmed the agents receive the commission, though it is taxable.
Mullingar man, John McCauley said he was delighted for everyone, but in particular the Penrose family.
“I was out at the concert in Ballynacargy last Tuesday and the work Willie and Anne Penrose put into the event was phenomenal,” said.
“The amount of food Anne prepared for people was a massive undertaking alone. I’m delighted for whoever won the big prize, but also that the Penrose family have had a bit of luck for their kindness and generosity. They have been doing this for the past 11 years,” he added.
