A High Court judgment is expected today on a challenge by a man to a winning Lotto syndicate's rejection of his claim that he is entitled to a one-fifth share of a jackpot of over €2 million.
Mr Martin Horan claims he was a member of the syndicate which scooped the jackpot on January 6th, 2001.
However, four men who say they are the sole members of the syndicate said Mr Horan was excluded from the syndicate months earlier because his contributions were in arrears and because he had told the syndicate organiser to "f*** off" when asked for contributions.
Mr Horan denies those claims. He has argued he always paid his contribution in arrears and had never been told he had ceased to be a member of the syndicate. He also claims the syndicate had previous winnings of some £100 which had not been distributed.
Evidence in the three-day hearing concluded yesterday and Mr Justice Clarke said that, while he could not give an absolute guarantee, he hoped to be able to give judgment this afternoon.
Mr Horan (38), of Carragown, Bohola, Castlebar, has taken his action against four men from Castlebar and the National Lottery.
The four are Mr Frank O'Reilly, Ballyvary, Castlebar; Mr Michael McHale, Curranee, Ballyvary; Mr John Joyce, Keelogue, Ballyvary and Mr Seamus O'Brien, Ballyvary.