The Supreme Court has reserved judgement in the controversial €2 million Mayo lotto syndicate which was won in 2001.
The seven-year saga ended up in the Supreme Court following a High Court decision that Martin Horan, Carrogown, Bohola, Castlebar was entitled to one-fifth of the prize. He was also awarded costs estimated at €100,000 by the High Court.
The three-judge Supreme Court heard submissions this week in an appeal by the four other members of the winning syndicate against the High Court order. Frank O’Reilly, Ballyvary, Castlebar; Michael McHale, Curranee, Ballyvary; John Joyce, Keelogues, Ballyvary and Seamus O’Brien, Ballyvary, brought the appeal.
They claimed that Mr Horan was removed from the syndicate in October 2000 before the jackpot was won on January 6 2001.
In December 2004 the High Court ruled that Mr Horan was entitled to a one-fifth share of the prize and was awarded costs against the four other members.
Mr O’Brien told the court that he had removed Mr Horan from the syndicate because he was in arrears with payments. Mr Horan claimed he had paid his subscription in lump sums and was never removed.
The High Court judge accepted Mr Horan’s evidence that he was allowed to fall into arrears and pay a lump sum.
The Supreme Court has now reserved judgement in the case given the complex evidence involved.
