Take-Away owner Daniel Rodgers revealed how he felt like the “parish priest” after he scooped €83,500 on RTE’s lotto show.
The Co Donegal businessman thought he had his “chips” when thieves broke into his restaurant in Newtowncunningham.
The gang threw a gas cylinder through the CKC Takeaway’s front window and robbed it as well as causing €1,500 worth of damage.
However Daniel’s worries disappeared the following day when he was picked to go on RTE’s The Big Money Show.
And on Saturday night the light-footed shop-owner, who even performed the ‘Cha Cha’ on the show, hit the jackpot when he scooped a whopping €83,500.
Daniel was doing nicely until he was chosen to pick the golden ball on the show by host Brian Ormond.
And the Donegal father-of-three was over the moon when he picked up and extra €50,000.
Daniel revealed even the priest at his local church in Newtowncunningham was sending him best wishes.
“We had a great night and it was great tow in all that money. It’s not going to change out lives but it will certainly pay a lot of bills.
“Everyone has been great wishing me all the best. Even the local priest, Fr Seamus Gallagher, gave me a mention from the altar.
“I felt like the priest himself I was shaking that many hands after mass,” said Daniel.
Unfortunately for Daniel’s customers, his big win doesn’t mean they can cash in their chips.
“I’ll have to up the prices now that so many people are calling in to say hello,” he laughed.