A £740,000 National Lottery prize was lost to its winner last night when time ran out for the ticket-holder. The person who bought the ticket in a Sligo shop failed to come forward during the 90-day period allowed to claim the prize. It was a one-third share in the jackpot.
Previously there had only been five unclaimed jackpot shares, with the biggest uncollected prize standing at £500,000.
The Lottery director, Mr Ray Bates, said: "We would have been very happy to present a cheque to the lucky winner any time right up to the deadline. A red carpet was in position - just in case."