Euromillions winner ticked ‘wrong’ number to win €12.8m

Ireland’s latest Euromillions winner has said he ticked the wrong number when filling out his slip.

The man, who is remaining anonymous, picked up his jackpot win of over €12.8 million from National Lottery headquarters in Dublin.

The regular player, who becomes Ireland’s fifth Euromillions jackpot winner since the game began here in 2004, revealed he ticked number 32 on his playslip by mistake while filling out his own numbers. “I wouldn’t mind making a few more of those mistakes,” he said.

The winner, who is from the south east of the country, shared Friday’s €25.6m jackpot with a player in Spain.

The National Lottery — which will release the details of where the winning ticket was sold early tomorrow — said the windfall makes him richer than One Direction’s Niall Horan, Hollywood starlet Saoirse Ronan and Jedward put together.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said as he picked up his cheque. “I can’t even begin to imagine all the opportunities that are now open to me.

“I’m still getting used to saying ‘I’m a millionaire’. But you know what, ‘I’m a multi-millionaire.‘ It sure sounds good.

“I’ll definitely invest it wisely. I want to be sure I can take care of my family for many years to come.”

Ireland’s biggest Euromillions winner was Limerick woman Dolores McNamara who scooped €115m in 2005.

Last June a player who bought a lucky ticket in Mace Beaumont in Dublin won €94m , in July 2008 a €15m winning ticket was sold in Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary, while a €29.4m jackpot winning ticket was sold in Dublin in June 2009.

PA