Irish $16M lottery winner still claiming over $6,000 a year in benefits

Comment #28

myturn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:10:54 GMT

He may be entitled to the benefits, but the moral of this story is, discretion is the better part of valour. He should have the common sense not to go public, as he had the choice to remain anonymous.

Comment #27

winwi5 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:33:45 GMT

I don't see anything wrong with it he worked for 40yrs yes he is entitled to his benefits so what he won the lottery .

I don't blame him for not wanting to waste his money alot of people when the lottery and be broke in less than 5 yrs.

This guy is smart his neighbor is just jealous she wish it were her who won because like she said he can live the life of luxury but he chose,

a more simple lifestyle he need to tell his neighbors to mind their business and worry about what is in their b... [ More ]

Comment #26

myturn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:10:58 GMT

He should have had the good sense not to go public about his win. The UK allows lottery winners to remain anonymous and the vast majority do.

Comment #25

GYM RICE — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:09:12 GMT

If you pay into the system, then its your money...Millionaires every day cash their social security checks. No problem at all.

Comment #24

rdgrnr — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:54:36 GMT

Well thank ya kindly, lejardin, I'm beholden to ya.

Comment #23

PERDUE — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:37:49 GMT

Many people feel that Mr. O'Shea is wrong for continuing to receive disability benefits after winning a lottery jackpot worth $16 million dollars.

I can understand the frustration and outrage over this.

If it is wrong for Mr. O'Shea then certainly it is wrong for all of the former Presidents of the United States, their spouses, and other select big wigs in government who continue to receive a nice fat check and complete benefits after leaving office.

Last time I checked, their bank acco... [ More ]

Comment #22

OldSchoolPa — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:30:07 GMT

As well as the generous 500-a-month ($794) disability living allowance, the wealthy couple are given a new car every three years under a mobility scheme for the disabled.

Wow, this puts the Scooter Store mobility chair to shame! The US would go broke if all of the disabled in America were given a new car every three years. I for one am against this entire entitlement attitude. I have served in the military, but I don't think it necessary for military or any other governmental worker to receiv... [ More ]

Comment #21

savagegoose — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:23:51 GMT

what we have here is a classic example of why you should always take the anonymous option if it is presented. no one would know who the ald fart is, or care, if only he kept his toothless old mouth shut to start.

Comment #20

time*treat — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:02:16 GMT

He had paid more in taxes than most people in the country... He can collect welfare till the day he dies and he will never get even 10% of his money back.

True. Far more people would rather complain about what they think others are getting than take the effort to figure the math.

If that doesn't work, they'll switch to complaining about something tangentially related, like what other people on welfare buy with their stamps/card.

Comment #19

haymaker — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:01:34 GMT

if you win, you too will pay mega% taxes,

what will you get in return?

also you did't answer my ? about the ins. co payin for your wrecked ride.

Comment #18

VenomV12 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:48:17 GMT

I am glad you brought up the guy in Michigan. I for the life of me cannot figure out why everyone is so outraged about him taking welfare. He paid $1.2 million in taxes, 60% of what he won, the welfare that he is collecting is his own money. He had paid more in taxes than most people in the country, more than even a lot of corporations. He can collect welfare till the day he dies and he will never get even 10% of his money back.

There are a lot of people complaining about him that are living... [ More ]

Comment #17

haymaker — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:03:58 GMT

this is not the same thing as the food stamp guy in michigan,its not welfare.disability is like insurance.you paid for it.

lets say you win the PB tonite,when you're ready to claim you head off to trenton or whatever your cap. is,

then you wreck your ride on the way,hopefully no one is hurt, RIDE WORTH $10g IS TOTALED,

are you gonna say to the ins. co. hey no problem i just won 250mil onPB so don't worry about

Comment #16

savagegoose — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:49:56 GMT

got to say the fact they have a mansion built in another countrey but dont live there, because the pnesion is means tested there. speaks much about their penny pinching. lets hope the inherritance tax isnt too high, as i know most of the money will be going to their kids or grand kids, and wouldnt want the gov getting any.

wonder if they'll be in the statistics of euro deaths due to the cold weather, and being old and CHEAP not running the heater, but huddling around the TV set for warmth? oh... [ More ]

Comment #15

lejardin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:12:27 GMT

Excellent post, you sir, are my new hero.

I would not let this gov off either, we have the most corrupt politicians and government ever.

Comment #14

HaveABall — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:47:06 GMT

I think it was okay to receive the additional Disability Benefits $$ over these past six years, after this moderately disabled man had received un-taxed, multi-millions from his jackpot win.

However, sometime this year, now that what he past contributed into the disability fund has been returned to him, it would be empowering and helpful if he could feel at peace/good about making the phone call to discontinue the un-needed monthly checks and use of the new or used vehicle [assuming that the... [ More ]

Comment #13

dpoly1 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:44:28 GMT

you have a way with words sir!

I will most likely keep my disability benefits, when I win. I am disabled because of the work that I did for 30+ years. I will need the medical coverage.

My gifts to charities will more than cover the cost of my staying on with my benefits.

Comment #12

Reign22 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:42:56 GMT

Totally agree

Comment #11

mcginnin56 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:08:48 GMT

Amen.

Comment #10

rdgrnr — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:05:50 GMT

I don't care what the socialists in Europe do but I would compare it to Social Security here.

I'm retired with an income and when I'm old enough to get Social Security I'm dam well gonna take it cuz I paid into it all of my working life and I'm not gonna let the government piss it away on studies to determine the impact of men washing their genitals in Africa. I couldn't care less if they do or don't. And if some lib perverts wanna go over there and watch them wash their genitals, let them pa... [ More ]

Comment #9

RedStang — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:20:24 GMT

That will be my luck. Work hard you're whole life and finally hit it when i'm too old to enjoy it. Then everyone is jealous because you're still getting a lousy 6 thousand that you're expected to live on.

Comment #8

Cletu$2 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:10:28 GMT

Well said.He earned the money and is entitled to it but giving it away to someone who truly needs it makes sense to me.

Comment #7

mcginnin56 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:48:42 GMT

Why thank you Lukep.

We gotta look out for these fine irish folk

Comment #6

VenomV12 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:46:53 GMT

It is his money and he is entitled to it no doubt. If I were him I would still donate it though or pass it on to a less fortunate family if for nothing else good karma.

Comment #5

Lukep — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:54:14 GMT

Well said my man. You are exactly right. The man worked hard for forty years and there is no wrong doing in that.

Comment #4

mcginnin56 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:47:09 GMT

There is no foul play here. Michael O'shea paid his due's for forty years. He is entitled to these benefits end of story.

Others would say because of his lotto windfall, he should stop collecting........or even return the monetary benefits he had already received.

For those folks fine.......if it happens to you....... then you can give it all back with $$$ interest. You'll probably get a nice shiny trophy for your deed.

Otherwise do not judge the deserving gentlemen. Want to wine a... [ More ]

Comment #3

Lukep — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:56:15 GMT

Yeah its ok for you to call to say keep it, but you don't have to be push by others to do it. The way the lottery posi it, its like they do something wrong,. the people earned their money

Comment #2

rukiafae — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:50:42 GMT

my husband is disabled, and yes, we get disability benefits. He had a massive stroke last april and is now partially paralyzed (at age 40). We do need them. We have 2 young chilren.

that being said, when we win the lotto, both of us will be MORE than happy to make a phone call and say 'KEEP IT- WE DON'T NEED IT!'

That will be a good day indeed!

While it may not be illegal to keep receiving the benefits, it IS selfish and yes, imho, immoral.

Comment #1

Lukep — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:43:44 GMT

He earn the money because he had worked for forty years for it. The lottery shouldn't even post this story because it clearly is not a factor. I worked hard, therefore; i'm entitle to my benefit

Irish $16M lottery winner still claiming over $6,000 a year in benefits

Lottery Post — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:15:56 GMT

An Irishman is still claiming disability benefits in the UK after winning over $16 million in the lottery.

Michael O'Shea, who grew up in Co. Kerry and resides in Nottingham, made headlines in October 2005 when he and his wife Jean won 10.2 million on the Euro Millions lotto jackpot.

Since becoming a millionaire overnight, the father of three has been paid almost $50,000 ( 31,500) in disability benefits, the Daily Mail reports.

However the 72-year-old retired builder is doing nothing il... [ More ]