The National Lottery says a ticket holder has claimed €381,000,  just hours before the deadline to collect the prize.

The ticket was bought in the Tesco store in Midleton in early May.

But up until today the winner had yet to come forward.

The National Lottery says media exposure alerted the ticket holder to the fact they were 'in the money'.

Details about the winner have not yet been released.

But Midleton councillor Danielle Twomey hopes its a local: