AN IRISHWOMAN who was down to her last €24 and whose car was so worn out that the registration plate was held together with Sellotape has won nearly €300,000 in the EuroMillions draw.
Niamh O’Meara, who has played the Lottery every week since she was 18, picked up her cheque for €297,860 from National Lottery headquarters in Dublin on Tuesday, April 11.
Ms O'Meara won the Match 5 + Lucky Star prize on the EuroMillions draw on April 4.
The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased at a Supervalu in Co. Galway, and Ms O'Meara said the win came at a "perfect time."
‘This came at the perfect time for me. I was down to the last €24 in my bank account.
"Last week the registration plate fell off the back of the car. I had to resort to the sellotape to keep it hanging on.
"Not any more though, my first purchase was a brand new car once I realised I had hit the jackpot."
Ms O'Meara collected her winnings with her two sisters, and said she believed the money was a gift from her mother who passed away a few years ago.
“I always felt I would win the lottery, and that one day I would be here in the National Lottery picking up a cheque.
"Our mam passed away a few years ago and in some ways I think this was a gift she has sent me.
"I’m off on holidays on Monday to celebrate and after that a new house and some celebrations with the family are in order," she said.
"I honestly just can’t believe it, it really is a dream come through, my whole family are only delighted for me," she added.
