A man who organised a Lotto syndicate which won a €2 million jackpot in January 2001 told the High Court yesterday that another man who claims he is entitled to one-fifth of that prize had been abusive when asked some months earlier to pay his contribution.
It was the second day of a hearing in which Mr Horan (38), Carragown, Bohola, Castlebar, Co Mayo, is claiming a one-fifth share - €400,000 - of the January 6th, 2001, Lotto prize.
In evidence yesterday, Mr Séamus O'Brien, organiser of the syndicate, said Mr Horan had paid him no contributions from April 2000. He said he was in Stenson's Bar in Ballyvary in late October 2000. He approached Mr Horan and said he wanted to get some money from him for the Lotto.
A lot of money was due as he was owed at least £72. Mr Horan had replied: "F... off, yourself and your Lotto."
Two nights after the syndicate won he had received a phone call from Mr Horan, who had not given him any contribution for nine months. He had told Mr Horan: "Remember the night you told me f... off?" He then put down the phone.