Age no object for EuroMillions winner

A Ballymena man’s failure to remember his wife’s correct age has netted him almost £2 million in the EuroMillions draw.

A Ballymena man’s failure to remember his wife’s correct age has netted him almost £2 million in the EuroMillions draw.

Paddy and Gail Millar yesterday received their cheque for £1.994 million (€2.539 million) in Ballymena, Co Antrim, after Mr Millar made the “best mistake of my life”. He used the ages of his two daughters, 11 and 17, his 21st wedding anniversary, his age of 50 and his wife’s age of 48 to fill out the lottery form. What he had forgotten was that Ms Millar is actually 49. Mr Millar, a nurse, said his wife had forgiven him.

He had five correct numbers and one lucky star in the draw. Had he drawn another lucky star he would have ended up sharing the £148 million rollover prize won in the same draw by a couple in Suffolk, England.

Mr Millar had previously joked to his wife about scooping a major lottery prize – so initially she did not believe him.

Ms Millar said the win would not change them dramatically. The money would be used for a holiday, possibly a new car, and to help care for their parents, she added.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times