16000 lotto gameshow win for tullamore man

A Tullamore man won €16,000 on the National Lottery’s The Million Euro Challenge gameshow on RTE 1 last Saturday.

Sister and brother Caroline Thornton and Ollie O’Connell were chosen to go on the Million Euro Challenge by their brother-in-law Darren Dunne who is married to their sister Tina O’Connell Dunne.

Darren and Tina, who are known for their shyness, are together ten years. They got married last year and have two daughters Natasha (8) and Katie (5). Katie is one of only 67 people in the world to have Mosaic Diploid Triploidy Syndrome.

Darren hopes to have a holiday away with the winnings and look after bills. He bought the lucky Scratch Card in Kelly’s shop on Church Road, Tullamore.

Tina, Caroline and Ollie are from a family of 12 – seven sisters and five brothers. Their parents are Martin O’Connell and the late Teresa.
Caroline is a stay at home mum married to Thomas Thornton. They have three children Caitlin (12), Jamie (10), Abbie (7).

Ollie is married to Marian. They have two children Jake and Zoe. He is a supplies officer in Tullamore General Hospital. Ollie is involved with the Killeigh Boys School Soccer Club and is Manager of the Killeigh Senior Ladies Group who won the League and Cup finals this year.

The National Lottery’s The Million Euro Challenge is presented by Nicky Byrne. Three players from Dublin, Cavan and Offaly won cash prizes to the value of €60,000 last Saturday. Patrick Gerard Sexton from Cavan went on to play the Million Euro Challenge game and won a total of €30,000.