An Irish National Lottery player has finally stepped forward to claim an €8.7 million jackpot, ending a 10-day silence that had left the lottery organisation and enthusiasts wondering if the ticket holder would ever come forward. The winning ticket was purchased on 2 May, making this the second jackpot winner of 2026.

Quick Pick Win at Ballymount

The lucky player used a Quick Pick ticket purchased at Applegreen Ballymount. While details about the winner remain closely guarded, the National Lottery has confirmed the prize claim process is now underway following direct contact from the player.

The lottery stated: “Our Lotto Jackpot winner has now made contact. The winner contacted our Prize Claims team, and arrangements are now underway for them to collect their prize.”

Good News for the Retailer

The news has provided a real boost for Applegreen Ballymount, which sold the winning ticket. Tom Hevey, site director at the busy location, was genuinely chuffed about it.

“Getting a call from the National Lottery to say that our store sold a Lotto jackpot ticket worth over €8.7 million was the best way to get the week started,” Hevey said. “We hope that the winner enjoys their huge win.”

Retail locations that sell major jackpot winners often see a real jump in footfall and positive buzz. For Applegreen Ballymount, a well-trafficked site serving both local customers and passing trade, this represents genuine validation of the store’s position as a lucky lottery outlet.

The Prize Claims Process

The fact that the winner has already made contact with the National Lottery’s Prize Claims team suggests they’re moving quickly to secure the substantial sum. Irish lottery winners typically have legal timeframes to claim prizes, and the player appears to be handling matters promptly and through official channels.

What the team thinks

Sheena McAllister says:

While the 10-day claim period makes for compelling human interest, what’s notably absent from this coverage is any discussion of the robust player protection and identity verification protocols that both the Irish National Lottery and UK operators like ours must implement before releasing such substantial prizes, a process that often accounts for these seemingly lengthy delays. The Quick Pick mechanism also deserves a mention in regulatory circles, as randomised selection methods represent a gold standard for fairness and transparency that builds genuine confidence in lottery integrity. From a compliance perspective, this case demonstrates how well-designed regulatory frameworks across the island of Ireland and the UK ultimately serve players better than speed alone, even when it creates temporary uncertainty.