The search for Ireland's latest National Lottery millionaire got under way yesterday as it emerged that the winning ticket, worth more than €7.4 million, was bought in Co Wicklow.
The €3 Quickpick ticket was bought in the Bray branch of Tesco between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday. It will net its owner the fourth-highest jackpot in the history of the Lotto.
If it turns out to be just one owner, it will be the second-highest individual winner to date, behind the €7.9 million won by an unnamed Cork farmer in 1997.
"We are delighted for the winner, whoever that is, and we'd like to pass on our congratulations," said Alan Jones, trading manager of Tesco in Bray.
"We are not sure who it is yet but it is probably somebody local as most of our customers are from the Bray/Greystones area."
Following Wednesday's draw, the winner now has 88 days left to claim his or her prize - and the National Lottery has plenty of advice.
"If you are the lucky winner, first of all, congratulations!" said a Lotto spokeswoman. "Please, please sign the back of the ticket straight away and make it yours. It is a bearer instrument.
"Then, when you are ready, come and claim your winnings. It can only be claimed at National Lottery headquarters on Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1," she said.
And if you still haven't checked your ticket, the winning numbers were: 2, 19, 21, 32, 34, 40 and the bonus number was 33.