Mary Walsh disputes Lotto syndicate claim in High Court

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court heard on 26 January 2017 that Mary Walsh disputed her stepson’s claim to a share of a €3.38 million Lotto win. David Walsh claimed one-sixth of the winnings, reported as €564,000, from a January 2011 draw.

Mary Walsh maintained that she was the sole winner. Her counsel, Michael Delaney SC, clarified that David Walsh’s side was not claiming a family syndicate existed when the ticket was purchased. He said that if a syndicate came into existence at all, it could only have arisen afterwards.

David Walsh’s barrister, Dervla Browne SC, argued that the six people who signed the ticket were all entitled to the winnings and were owners of the ticket. Mary Walsh’s lawyers said she had been advised that anyone who might receive a gift from the winnings could sign the ticket so they would not have to pay gift tax.

The proceedings were reported on 27 January 2017. The hearing was due to continue that day, with Mary Walsh expected to give evidence.