Family win HUGE £216million Euromillions jackpot making national history
A family has won one of the biggest-ever lottery draws in Euromillions history, scooping nearly a quarter-of-a-billion pounds in an instant this week.
Members of the family syndicate, from Cork, Ireland, were left in shock after they found out they won the €250 million (£216 million) EuroMillions Jackpot, the largest in Irish history. Speaking after the incredible win, the stunned group have promised to keep eating ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch despite being left shocked by the "surreal" experience.
Members of the syndicate, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have spoken about the incredible moment they made Irish history.
Speaking to the National Lottery, one family member said they had stopped by a shop while running errands when they saw "a sign at the till" saying the massive jackpot had been won.
They said they initially hadn't thought anything of the notice, but decided to check their numbers anyway. They said: "I saw the sign at the till that the EuroMillions jackpot was €250 million.
"Although I'm a regular player, I hadn't bought a ticket for the last two draws. I picked one up and honestly, didn't think much of it.'
They didn't discover they were the winners until they tuned into the nine o'clock news and checked the National Lottery app, finding they had "won big".
They called the National Lottery the following morning after a sleepless night of exciting, and, after a "few minutes" that "felt like the longest of my life", they were confirmed as the official winners.
They kept their win carefully hidden inside an A4 sheet beneath a pile of folded laundry in the bedroom until they claimed the prize days later.
Aside from a holiday, they plan to spend the money on family and charities. And, while one member joked they could now buy a coveted Rolex, they have vowed not to change their lives much.
They said: "We're absolutely going on a family holiday. We love to travel and there's so many amazing trips we've always dreamed of that we can now make a reality.
"We're already looking at holiday homes somewhere in the sun. We also feel incredibly fortunate now to be in a position where we can buy homes for our children too.'
One syndicate member said: "We're planning to remain in Ireland, and we promised ourselves that we won't let this win change us." Another member added with a laugh: "I'll still be having my favourite ham and cheese sambo for lunch every day!'
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