From the Galway City Tribune – City Hall was abuzz from early Thursday morning after rumours circulated that a Galway City Council syndicate had won €5.5 million in the midweek National Lottery draw.

Lotto chiefs arrive in Galway later today (Friday) for a publicity event at Newspoint in Galway Shopping Centre (pictured) which sold Wednesday’s jackpot winning ticket.

A National Lottery spokesperson said the city player or syndicate has not yet come forward to claim their prize of €5,541,001.

Hours prior to Lotto confirming the winning player was based in Galway, speculation was rife locally that a syndicate of workers at Galway City Council had hit the jackpot.

The suggestion was that the prize was scooped by a group of ten Council outdoor staff in the syndicate, including five retired staff.

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, joked that he probably had not won it because he was not a regular player.

“A really lovely story and I very much hope it’s true. If it is true it’s well deserved. These guys give wonderful public service and their good fortune, if true, will be well deserved.

“There’s nothing but a feelgood factor about the rumour and everyone hoping it’s true and sending good wishes to those who may have had success.”

Asked about the rumours, the National Lottery spokesperson told Galway City Tribune: “The winner has not made contact yet.”

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of this story, see the August 5 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.