Irish EuroMillions winner said jackpot ‘destroyed her life’

Margaret Loughrey won a huge jackpot prize in 2013.

Following a huge EuroMillion's jackpot win of €250 million in Cork this week, setting the record for the highest Irish win ever.

The National Lottery is urging the winner to 'stay calm, get independent legal and financial advice and contact us as soon as they can.'

Previous winner Margaret Loughrey said winning a huge sum in 2013 destroyed her life.

She was tragically found dead eight years after winning £27 million in the EuroMillions and became known as 'Maggie Millions'.

The Strabane woman had a cheerful upbringing alongside six siblings; however, tragedy struck when her father passed away during her teen years.

Her brother Paul explained: "He was a bricklayer and fell off a roof when he was 47. It was a terrible time. He was a fantastic father. I don't think Margaret got over it and after that she had mental health issues."

In 2013, aged 48, Margaret was divorced, and after a visit to the job centre, she purchased a Lucky Dip EuroMillions.

The win came when she was living on just £71 a week in a two-bedroom bungalow.

Margaret checked her numbers ten times before stepping outside for a breather and calling her brother to share the news that she was not €27 million richer.

"I was the first to be told. We were close right up until the money. But from that day I knew. I told the rest of the family this is not going to be good for Margaret.

"People have often said to me, 'It must be amazing to win all that money?' But I always respond, be careful what you wish for because it almost destroyed our entire family. Not just Margaret," recalled Paul.

He explained that Margaret found it tough to cope with her wealth, and ended up pushing away her family and friends.

Paul described it as 'very sad' and noted that his sister 'just didn't want to know us anymore.'

Even though she severed ties with those closest to her, she still handed out £1 million each to her siblings and closest friends.

"She didn't want us in her life but still she gave us the money. It doesn't make sense, does it? But she made sure we were all OK," he added.

In 2015, Margaret was convicted for assaulting a cab driver, and was sentenced to 150 hours of community service.

The court was told that she was 'highly intoxicated after consuming a large amount of alcohol.'

Margaret herself spoke about the downside of her win before her death, revealing she was down to just €5 million by 2019.

Speaking to Sunday Life, she said: "I will never have peace as long as I live. Even if I didn't have a penny left, I won't. I regret winning the lottery. Of course I do. I was a happy person before. I am a human being and all it has done is destroy my life."

Margaret indulged in a range of vehicles including a VW camper van and a Land Rover, but emotionally described her hardships, saying: "I have had six years of this. I don't believe in religion, but if there is a hell, I have been in it. It has been that bad. I went down to five-and-a half stone."

In 2021, Margaret passed away suddenly, with no suspicion surrounding her death.

Her family revealed she had died from natural causes following an illness.

 Margaret's legacy of generosity became well-known and despite the large win, Margaret continued living in Strabane.

She became a local benefactor, reportedly covering funeral costs for a family in financial distress and funding medical procedures for others, including paying for gastric band operations.

She was also known for donating to local charities.

Her brother has raised concern about jackpots becomeing 'excessively large'.

"It's time the Government look at the size of jackpots. They need to be capped. A person working in a factory or a call centre like I was can't deal with money like that," commented Paul.

In response, the National Lottery said: "Camelot takes its duty of care to winners very seriously and all major winners are offered support and advice for as long as they wish."