A woman who was part of a syndicate which scooped a Lotto jackpot of €9.8million unknowingly walked around with the winning ticket for a week.
The family in Co Kerry on Thursday came forward to claim the monster prize - two months after the draw.
She purchased the ticket in Killarney for the draw on Saturday, April 18 and walked around with it in her handbag for days without checking it.
She said: “Of course we heard of the big Lotto win in Kerry but never entertained the thought that it could be us – sure we never win!
"A few days passed and I was checking my ticket for the following Wednesday’s draw when I spotted the ticket in my handbag.
"It dawned on me that I forgot to check Saturday’s numbers. It was such a surreal moment when you realise you have won.
"Without even thinking about it I just started hopping all over the living room in delight.
"It’s so funny to think I was walking around with the winning ticket in my bag for almost a week!"
The winning Quick Pick ticket worth a whopping €9,772,175 was bought at Daly's Supervalu in Killarney - which also sold a EuroMillions Plus winning ticket just days earlier.
She added: "We kept the ticket safe in a drawer at home but found ourselves checking the numbers frequently.
"It certainly took a while for the news to sink in… We actually won the Lotto!"
Speaking on Thursday, a spokesman for the National Lottery said: “What an amazing story and it really goes to show the importance of checking your National Lottery tickets as soon as you can as our Kerry winners amazingly had a ticket worth €9.7 million in their bag without knowing.
"We are absolutely delighted for this family and wish them the very best for the future.”
