The lucky player, who bought his winning ticket via the National Lottery app for a draw in November, is looking forward to celebrating this Christmas.
“I bought a EuroMillions ticket on the app, using the same numbers every week,” he said.
“I got to work early and, while I was sitting in the car, I decided to purchase one more ticket for the draw. This time, it was just a Quick Pick ticket with Plus. That extra ticket turned out to be the lucky one!”
He said the night he checked the ticket online, he was in “complete disbelief” to see he had won €500,000.
“I got the notification on my phone. I could not believe what I was seeing,” he added.
“I took a screenshot of the notification and sent it to my wife – we were both in complete shock!”
The Dubliner said the win has yet to sink in, even while sitting in the exclusive Winners Room at Lottery HQ.
Although the celebrations have been tame for now, he is planning to go on a memorable holiday with his family next year and carry out some overdue home renovations.
Two other lucky players, one from Louth and one from Limerick, also had Christmas come early with two separate prizes.
A Louth man won €50,000 in the online game ‘Mega 777 Multiplier’ just as he was heading out to work.
Speaking about his win, he said he plans to put his prize towards a deposit for a home and celebrate with his family over Christmas.
A Limerick man also won a top prize of €20,000 in the National Lottery’s Merry Money scratch card, which was purchased at Garryowen Post Office in Limerick.
“I popped into the local post office to collect my pension and decided to pick up a €5 scratch card,” he said.
“That evening, over a cup of tea, my wife was scratching the card when suddenly she gave me a big hug and said, ‘We are going to have the best Christmas ever!’.”
He said the funds will go towards making sure his grandchildren have a “Christmas to remember”, and a well-deserved getaway to Spain with his wife.
Meanwhile, last night’s Lotto jackpot rolled forward to an estimated €3.5m.
