Lotto pays out on disputed €8.2m jackpot

The disputed €8.2 million lotto jackpot from March has been paid out by the National Lottery.

The National Lottery initially refused to hand over the money, prompting a welter of speculation and rumour, but it declined to provide a reason to the media.

The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought the €20 ticket on the day of the draw.

Under lottery rules, the winner has 90 days to claim the prize, giving them until 5pm to collect the money.

The person purporting to be the winning ticketholder recently criticised the lottery for releasing details of the case to the media.

In a solicitor’s letter, the individual also denied the reason for non-payment related to a dispute within a syndicate.

“The National Lottery at all times works to ensure due process in our claims’ procedure, in accordance with our statutory and regulatory obligations,” the lottery said in a statement.

“As has always been the case, the National Lottery never comments on the specifics of individual claims to protect the privacy of the claimant.”

The jackpot, which had been rolling since 27 January 2016, is the biggest ever win in Co Sligo.